The Creation of 12 Hardwood Chairs

The creation of T 12 hardwood chairs

WOOD LIFE CYCLE MA KING When Sebastian Wrong told me project was born. that he was discussing the idea of a In the Design Products course student project with the American at e Royal College of Art, Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), we encourage the students to it immediately seemed a great experiment, to think about cultural opportunity to explore designing context in design, to explore with wood again. materials and be inventive. is is Wood has a long tradition in a risky approach to design; there furniture making. However, in are no predictable outcomes of the 20th Century, when industrial these processes. mass production reigned, wood e proposals that were was largely replaced in furniture presented in response to the production by plastic, metal and brief were very varied and were composites. Industrial usage often personal expressions by the preferred sheet materials such as individual designers about wood plywood, chipboard or MDF to and its relevance to furniture the tricky solid woods. Today, as today. As with most other industrial production is changing materials, the designer is no longer and becoming more diverse, the expert. For this expertise, environmentally and socially we were fortunate to collaborate conscious, computer controlled with the woodworking company and often smaller scaled, new Benchmark on this project. possibilities are emerging. Helped by their super-skilled and e project explores the knowledgeable team, the designers potential for solid hardwood were able to realise their ideas again as a serious material for in a hands-on manner. As good furniture. AHEC enabled us to crafts teach us, ideas change and access the environmental impact adapt once we start touching the that this material has, including materials and tools. Benchmark its processing in the workshop provided a unique environment as an integral part of its design in which the designers could possibilities. From this notion, the immerse themselves in the physical qualities of the material and the processes of making. ere are some wonderfully Ideas change inventive and creative uses of wood “ in these pieces of furniture and they also have that special quality which will give them longevity: a and adapt” great design. Professor Tord Boontje Design Products, Royal College of Art

WELCOME/OUT OF THE WOODS 3 When Sebastian Wrong told me project was born. that he was discussing the idea of a In the Design Products course student project with the American at e Royal College of Art, Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), we encourage the students to it immediately seemed a great experiment, to think about cultural opportunity to explore designing context in design, to explore with wood again. materials and be inventive. is is Wood has a long tradition in a risky approach to design; there furniture making. However, in are no predictable outcomes of the 20th Century, when industrial these processes. mass production reigned, wood e proposals that were was largely replaced in furniture presented in response to the production by plastic, metal and brief were very varied and were composites. Industrial usage often personal expressions by the preferred sheet materials such as individual designers about wood plywood, chipboard or MDF to and its relevance to furniture the tricky solid woods. Today, as today. As with most other industrial production is changing materials, the designer is no longer and becoming more diverse, the expert. For this expertise, environmentally and socially we were fortunate to collaborate conscious, computer controlled with the woodworking company and often smaller scaled, new Benchmark on this project. possibilities are emerging. Helped by their super-skilled and e project explores the knowledgeable team, the designers potential for solid hardwood were able to realise their ideas again as a serious material for in a hands-on manner. As good furniture. AHEC enabled us to crafts teach us, ideas change and access the environmental impact adapt once we start touching the that this material has, including materials and tools. Benchmark its processing in the workshop provided a unique environment as an integral part of its design in which the designers could possibilities. From this notion, the immerse themselves in the physical qualities of the material and the processes of making. ere are some wonderfully Ideas change inventive and creative uses of wood “ in these pieces of furniture and they also have that special quality which will give them longevity: a and adapt” great design. Professor Tord Boontje Design Products, Royal College of Art

WELCOME/OUT OF THE WOODS 3 P6 P8 Contents INTRODUCTION RENEWABLE RESOURCE

INTRODUCTION 06

THE RENEWABLE RESOURCE 08 P10 P12P14 P16 P20 LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS DESIGNED LEGACY LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS 10 LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS BEEEENCH THE DESIGNS 14 BEEEENCH 16 DESIGNED LEGAC Y 20 FLOATING CHAIR 24 P24 P28 P32 P36 FOLDING CHAIR 28 FLOATING CHAIR FOLDING CHAIR LEFTOVERS CHAIR NUM. 4

Produced by UBM Client Solutions LEFTOVERS CHAIR 32 for e American Hardwood Export Council NU M. 4 36

Author: Ruth Slavid PHYLLIDA 40 Sub-editors: Belinda Cobden- Ramsay, Catriona Maclean SNELSON 44 Art director: Nick Watts Designers: Nicola Kerr, Stephen SOLITUDE 48 P40 P44 P48 P52 Savage, Spike McCormack, PHYLLIDA SNELSON SOLITUDE SQUEEZE Colette Fahy SQUEEZE 52 Project manager: Emma Humphrys TREE FURNITURE 56 Business development manager: Oliver Hughes WELL PRO VEN 60 [email protected] THE PROCESS 64 Photography: Petr Krejci, Mark O'Flaherty MAKING 66 P56 P60 P66 P70 AMERICAN HARDWOODS 70 TREE FURNITURE WELL PROVEN MAKING AMERICAN HARDWOODS Produced by ANALYSIS OF LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS 72 PARTICIPANTS 78

+44 (0) 20 7560 4291 www.clientsolutions.co.uk P72 P78 ANALYSIS OF LIFE PARTICIPANTS CYCLE IMPACTS

CONTENTS/OUT OF THE WOODS 5 P6 P8 Contents INTRODUCTION RENEWABLE RESOURCE

INTRODUCTION 06

Produced by UBM Client Solutions LEFTOVERS CHAIR 32 for e American Hardwood Export Council NU M. 4 36

+44 (0) 20 7560 4291 www.clientsolutions.co.uk P72 P78 ANALYSIS OF LIFE PARTICIPANTS CYCLE IMPACTS

CONTENTS/OUT OF THE WOODS 5 Learng through makg RCA students designed seating and spent a week making it e Brief To design a seat for function. This could be a“ chair, stool or bench or anything else that can be sat upon. Materials to be used are American hardwoods and veneers.”

dozen students During this time they carefully programme at the RCA. ‘I can see the environmental of the objects that the production of your design a professional environment. ‘e very contemporary material.’ 1 34 (or pairs of documented the materials and tools very clearly that the real application they were making. demands, from the felling of the platform presented to the students, Harry Richardson, who teaches students) at the that they used, so that they could of environmental sustainability will But this analysis was always tree to the product’s end of life particularly the work of making, the course with Wrong and is co- 5 2 Royal College of come up with a detailed life cycle rise to the surface,’ said Venables. intended as an adjunct to rather scenario. erefore, consider issues is something that has never been founder of product design studio 6 Art have designed analysis (LCA) of their designs. ‘I wanted to use the opportunity than the sole driver of their relating to robustness, eﬃciencies experienced before,’ he said. ‘ey Committee, said, ‘It seems that

chairs that both e finished chairs all went on to challenge the students a degree creativity. is was spelt out in the both material and production, and are balancing design ideas with the reality AHEC is dealing with 1 Nic Wallenberg in the workshop. rethink the notion of sitting and exhibition at London’s Victoria further, to get them to explore what brief given to the students, which of course aesthetic. It is one thing schedule and timing. ey have through the use of LCA is one that 2 Petter Thörne with his finished A beeeench teach important lessons about & Albert Museum from 14 to 23 is coming and where we are going.’ was as follows: to design a chair/seat that will very little experience of engaging we must all come to understand 3 Anton Alvarez working out of doors sustainability. All of the students September, as part of the London Work that the American Hardwood ‘To design a seat for function. is physically survive the wear and with materials.’ more and more if the market is 4 Lunch al fresco were following a course on Design Festival. Export Council has carried out could be a chair, stool or bench or tear of a long life, it is quite another e potential of wood as a natural to find a sustainable future, and 5 Assembling the Phyllida bench product design, some of them had e project was the brainchild of on life cycle analysis (described in anything else that can be sat upon. to design a chair/seat that has the material is great, he believes, and so I think this has been a very 6 Camping in the Benchmark garden experience of furniture making and David Venables, European director detail on pages 10-13) has made it Material to be used is American aesthetic qualities that will remain said, ‘ere are some great ideas stimulating learning experience for working with wood, while others of the American Hardwood Export possible to apply hard data to the hardwoods and veneers. relevant long in to the future.’ – that is what I find so inspiring. the students.’ did not. ey all enjoyed a special Council, and Sebastian Wrong, use of timber. e students, who e project aims to explore For Sebastian Wrong the e benefit to the students, to the One can see just how valuable experience – camping for a week a founding member and design received lectures on this as well as on the versatility of hardwood strength of the project lay not RCA and to AHEC is tangible on a a learning experience it has been in July at Benchmark in Berkshire, development director of Established furniture making, all used American as a production material and only in the life cycle analysis, but number of levels.’ And, he added, by looking at the work that the where they were able to work with & Sons as well as a tutor for hardwoods in their designs, and were the consumption of energy also in the opportunity for the ‘e project is opening a discussion students have produced. craftsmen to make their chairs. Platform 15 of the Design Products therefore able to calculate exactly and associated resources that students to make their designs in about life cycle. It is making wood a

6 OUT OF THE WOODS/INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION/OUT OF THE WOODS 7 Learng through makg RCA students designed seating and spent a week making it e Brief To design a seat for function. This could be a“ chair, stool or bench or anything else that can be sat upon. Materials to be used are American hardwoods and veneers.” dozen students During this time they carefully programme at the RCA. ‘I can see the environmental of the objects that the production of your design a professional environment. ‘e very contemporary material.’ 1 34 (or pairs of documented the materials and tools very clearly that the real application they were making. demands, from the felling of the platform presented to the students, Harry Richardson, who teaches students) at the that they used, so that they could of environmental sustainability will But this analysis was always tree to the product’s end of life particularly the work of making, the course with Wrong and is co- 5 2 Royal College of come up with a detailed life cycle rise to the surface,’ said Venables. intended as an adjunct to rather scenario. erefore, consider issues is something that has never been founder of product design studio 6 Art have designed analysis (LCA) of their designs. ‘I wanted to use the opportunity than the sole driver of their relating to robustness, efficiencies experienced before,’ he said. ‘ey Committee, said, ‘It seems that chairs that both e finished chairs all went on to challenge the students a degree creativity. is was spelt out in the both material and production, and are balancing design ideas with the reality AHEC is dealing with 1 Nic Wallenberg in the workshop. rethink the notion of sitting and exhibition at London’s Victoria further, to get them to explore what brief given to the students, which of course aesthetic. It is one thing schedule and timing. ey have through the use of LCA is one that 2 Petter Thörne with his finished A beeeench teach important lessons about & Albert Museum from 14 to 23 is coming and where we are going.’ was as follows: to design a chair/seat that will very little experience of engaging we must all come to understand 3 Anton Alvarez working out of doors sustainability. All of the students September, as part of the London Work that the American Hardwood ‘To design a seat for function. is physically survive the wear and with materials.’ more and more if the market is 4 Lunch al fresco were following a course on Design Festival. Export Council has carried out could be a chair, stool or bench or tear of a long life, it is quite another e potential of wood as a natural to find a sustainable future, and 5 Assembling the Phyllida bench product design, some of them had e project was the brainchild of on life cycle analysis (described in anything else that can be sat upon. to design a chair/seat that has the material is great, he believes, and so I think this has been a very 6 Camping in the Benchmark garden experience of furniture making and David Venables, European director detail on pages 10-13) has made it Material to be used is American aesthetic qualities that will remain said, ‘ere are some great ideas stimulating learning experience for working with wood, while others of the American Hardwood Export possible to apply hard data to the hardwoods and veneers. relevant long in to the future.’ – that is what I find so inspiring. the students.’ did not. ey all enjoyed a special Council, and Sebastian Wrong, use of timber. e students, who e project aims to explore For Sebastian Wrong the e benefit to the students, to the One can see just how valuable experience – camping for a week a founding member and design received lectures on this as well as on the versatility of hardwood strength of the project lay not RCA and to AHEC is tangible on a a learning experience it has been in July at Benchmark in Berkshire, development director of Established furniture making, all used American as a production material and only in the life cycle analysis, but number of levels.’ And, he added, by looking at the work that the where they were able to work with & Sons as well as a tutor for hardwoods in their designs, and were the consumption of energy also in the opportunity for the ‘e project is opening a discussion students have produced. craftsmen to make their chairs. Platform 15 of the Design Products therefore able to calculate exactly and associated resources that students to make their designs in about life cycle. It is making wood a

6 OUT OF THE WOODS/INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION/OUT OF THE WOODS 7 8

OUT resource renewable Nature's greenmaterials provide abundant, hardwoods American OF T HE W OOD S /T HE R EN EW ABLE R ES OURC E ‘naturally’ without any harvesting, the case. In forests that mature store the energy that way? to leave the trees in the forests, and such. So wouldn’t it be better just themselves as areoften described forestssincesinks, carbon of idea Many of us are familiar with the processingtransporting. and in greater than the energy that is used of energy that is stored in the tree is transport of the timber, the amount in the felling, drying, process and will be some expenditure of energy up carbon dioxide. Although there a ‘carbon sink,’ ameans of locking allowing it to rot in landfill. that is stored within it, rather than exploiting the ‘embodied energy’ the timber is to burn it for fuel, found, the best thing to do with continues. If no other use can be at the end of life, the storage components are re-used or recycled of furniture or abuilding. If the for as long as it remains in apiece and continues to store that material stores carbon during its growth, T Research shows that this is not In this way timber can be seen as living material, it design in that, as a constructionand materials used in among the major imber is unique life cycle analysis can offer. based on reliable data. is is what be able to make arigorous analysis, terms of sustainability, we need to understand what we are doing, in need hard facts. In order to really are making the right decisions, we if we want to be certain that we most sustainable way possible. approached the use of timber in the imaginations, the students have main species. By exercising their is to harvest timbers from all the e most sustainable approach forests, contain arange of species. view. of point hardwoodAmerican also important from asustainability of materials as possible, which is students have used as wide arange which regenerate naturally. e managed by small owners, and fromforests that aretypically projectarehardwoods,American used in the Out of the Woods impunity. with exploit It is therefore aresource that we can from 5billion m forestsAmerican more thandoubled the volume of hardwood standing in an issue. Between 1953 and 2007, of American hardwoods, this is not byexcessive harvesting. case the In that forests should not be depleted strategy,’ it is addressing the concern sustainableforest management mitigationbenefit.’ will generate the largest sustained fibre or energy from the forest, annualsustainedtimber, of yield carbon stocks, while producing an maintainingincreasing or forest management strategy aimed at the long term, asustainable forest Fourth Assessment Report that, ‘In on Climate Change to write in its the UN Intergovernmental Panel of free carbon. is has caused slows down to amaximum level ratethe sequestrationcarbon of But however good intentions are, All the timbers that have been When the report refers to ‘a 3 to 11.4 billion m 3 .

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Measurg the pact Rigorous technical ife cycle analysis is throughout the production process While kiln drying has more of of delivery. is is unavoidable as analysis the vital tool that and covering them until the point an impact than many would have it is not possible for the producers makes the difference where they arrive at the place expected, the impact of transport to know how their material will be allows exact between hand-waving where they will be used - the is less. In terms of global warming used. Treatments, fixings, further good feelings about factory or the building site. potential, road transport from the processing, life-span and method of evaluation sustainability and This research was carried out United States to Canada has a larger disposal will all have an influence, exact knowledgeL that allows one to by PE International, a company impact than transport by ship from as will the other materials that make well-founded decisions about that specialises in this field, the United States to Western Europe. are used in the final products. selection and use of materials. and was done to the highest However, other impacts are higher To make it possible to carry the It looks at all the environmental standards, with an independent for ship transport, such as the work further, PE International has inputs and impacts throughout the critical review of its findings. It acidification potential, mainly as a created a tool called an i-report, life of a product, making it possible established that the main source result of the sulphur contained in into which it is possible to enter all to make informed decisions. Often of global warming impact comes the fuel and the ensuing emissions the variables and produce scores on

this is vital because choices have from the kiln drying of the of SO2. is impact will largely be at a number of counts. is is what it a range of impacts, and a selection timber, contributing between 8% sea rather than over land. has done for the designs of the 12 that has a good result in one and 32% of the global warming ere are improvements that chairs, and it is one of the elements direction may be problematic in potential of the production could be made in processes, such as that make the project so exciting. another way. In order to choose process. It also had a significant more efficient kiln drying and the It is not possible to make a direct which is the more significant, one impact on other environmental possibility of pre-drying of lumber. comparison between the designs needs data rather than just feelings. markers, providing 6-26% of the Other improvements are outside in terms of sustainability, since e timber industry has not acidification potential, and 78- the industry's control, but being each has addressed a very different in the past had thorough life 86% of the POCP (photochemical considered as world legislation, problem, and solved it in a very cycle analyses, putting itself at a ozone creation potential). such as a reduction in the allowable different way. You cannot compare disadvantage. Proponents of the use ese results vary between sulphur content in marine fuel. a church chair, designed to give of other materials have produced species, since some take longer to None of this should blind one to an appearance that is deliberately detailed studies which they have dry than others, and there is also an the fact that a considerable amount as heavy and permanent as then employed to promote the use important impact that relates to the of carbon dioxide is ‘locked up’ possible, with a slender stool that of their materials, sometimes using thickness of the sawn timber. Since in timber, where it will remain has deliberately been made as data selectively and skewing the thicker planks take longer to dry, throughout its life and through any lightweight as possible. A portable facts. It was to address this lack that and hence use more energy, they secondary life that is found for it. bench and a GPS guided boat are the American Hardwood Export will have a greater environmental e work that PE International similarly not directly comparable, Council invested in a thorough life impact – something that designers has carried out for AHEC is as and nobody would choose to have cycle analysis of all the timbers that and specifiers may like to consider thorough as possible, but it is one when they wanted the other. it promotes, looking at variables at an early stage in their work. restricted in that it ends at the point But the very different choices

OUT OF THE WOODS/LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OUT OF THE WOODS LIFE CYCLE FLOW DIAGRAM OF AMERICAN HARDWOODS

HOGFUEL EMISSIONS TO WATER

NATURAL GAS EMISSIONS TO AIR HARDWOOD FOREST STAND DIESEL EMISSIONS TO SOIL

LPG WASTES T ELECTRICITY CO-PRODUCTS: PULP, LOGS, WATER HARDWOOD FOREST BIOMASS HARVESTING A

T CO-PRODUCTS: BARK, SAWDUST, SHAVINGS AND CHIPS SAWING A ife cycle analysis is throughout the production process While kiln drying has more of of delivery. is is unavoidable as T the vital tool that and covering them until the point an impact than many would have it is not possible for the producers makes the difference where they arrive at the place expected, the impact of transport to know how their material will be KILN DRYING between hand-waving where they will be used - the is less. In terms of global warming used. Treatments, fixings, further good feelings about factory or the building site. potential, road transport from the processing, life-span and method of SYSTEM T sustainability and This research was carried out United States to Canada has a larger disposal will all have an influence, BOUNDARY exact knowledge that allows one to by PE International, a company impact than transport by ship from as will the other materials that L ROUGH KILN DRIED LUMBER make well-founded decisions about that specialises in this field, the United States to Western Europe. are used in the final products. selection and use of materials. and was done to the highest However, other impacts are higher To make it possible to carry the It looks at all the environmental standards, with an independent for ship transport, such as the work further, PE International has MANUFACTURING OF inputs and impacts throughout the critical review of its findings. It acidification potential, mainly as a created a tool called an i-report, END PRODUCT life of a product, making it possible established that the main source result of the sulphur contained in into which it is possible to enter all to make informed decisions. Often of global warming impact comes the fuel and the ensuing emissions the variables and produce scores on T this is vital because choices have from the kiln drying of the of SO2. is impact will largely be at a number of counts. is is what it a range of impacts, and a selection timber, contributing between 8% sea rather than over land. has done for the designs of the 12 USE PHASE that has a good result in one and 32% of the global warming ere are improvements that chairs, and it is one of the elements direction may be problematic in potential of the production could be made in processes, such as that make the project so exciting. T another way. In order to choose process. It also had a significant more efficient kiln drying and the It is not possible to make a direct A ALLOCATION APPLIED which is the more significant, one impact on other environmental possibility of pre-drying of lumber. comparison between the designs needs data rather than just feelings. markers, providing 6-26% of the Other improvements are outside in terms of sustainability, since END OF LIFE T TRANSPORTATION e timber industry has not acidification potential, and 78- the industry's control, but being each has addressed a very different in the past had thorough life 86% of the POCP (photochemical considered as world legislation, problem, and solved it in a very cycle analyses, putting itself at a ozone creation potential). such as a reduction in the allowable different way. You cannot compare disadvantage. Proponents of the use ese results vary between sulphur content in marine fuel. a church chair, designed to give LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS of other materials have produced species, since some take longer to None of this should blind one to an appearance that is deliberately detailed studies which they have dry than others, and there is also an the fact that a considerable amount as heavy and permanent as This graphic shows the processes that American hardwoods pass through, from growing through harvest, sawing and kiln drying, through then employed to promote the use important impact that relates to the of carbon dioxide is ‘locked up’ possible, with a slender stool that to manufacture, use and the end of life. It shows inputs and outputs of their materials, sometimes using thickness of the sawn timber. Since in timber, where it will remain has deliberately been made as (waste and pollution), transport and potential allocation of waste data selectively and skewing the thicker planks take longer to dry, throughout its life and through any lightweight as possible. A portable products. The area defined by the system boundary represents the limits facts. It was to address this lack that and hence use more energy, they secondary life that is found for it. bench and a GPS guided boat are of AHEC's LCA study on rough-sawn kiln-dried lumber. In technical the American Hardwood Export will have a greater environmental e work that PE International similarly not directly comparable, terms this study is a 'cradle-to-gate plus transport' study. The Out of Council invested in a thorough life impact – something that designers has carried out for AHEC is as and nobody would choose to have the Woods project addresses the stages after the report boundary for cycle analysis of all the timbers that and specifiers may like to consider thorough as possible, but it is one when they wanted the other. specific applications, use and end of life in a pathfinding manner. it promotes, looking at variables at an early stage in their work. restricted in that it ends at the point But the very different choices

OUT OF THE WOODS LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS/OUT OF THE WOODS that the students made shine a spotlight on many of the issues of sustainability. Producing 1 the i-reports Marc Binder of PE International gave the students a lecture at the start of the design process explaining the main sustainability issues, which they took into account as they were developing their chairs. Dr Richard Murphy of Imperial College London, who was one of the members of the Critical Review Panel of the LCA PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND RENEWABLE RESOURCES GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL GWP report, also lectured the students. He talked about the principles This is a measure of the total demand of primary energy that comes from non- Like the primary energy demand from non-renewable resources, it is a measure Global warming potential, measured in kg CO2 equivalent, is the measure about renewable resources, such as oil and natural gas. Measured in MJ, the primary of the total amount of primary energy but in this case derived from renewable which we are all most concerned, and it is a good marker for other environmental of life cycle assessment and energy demand takes into account the conversion efficiencies from the primary sources such as hydropower and wind energy. Again it takes conversion issues. It is not however the only important measure, and the i-report therefore provided early guidance on design energy to, for example, electricity. The generation of carbon dioxide from the efficiencies into account where appropriate. Total primary energy demand focuses on a number of others as well. Global warming potential is calculated implications. production of energy is one of the major causes of global warming. can be measured by adding the figures for energy from non-renewable and from the volumes of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, When the students were making renewable resources. which are emitted by a process. the chairs at Benchmark, they measured all the materials that they had used in volume, and also the time that they had spent on each of the machines. ese formed the 4 basis of daily reports which were fed into the i-report. is drew on not only the life cycle analyses for American hardwoods, but also PE NOx N2O International’s substantial database covering all other materials used. NH3 FERTILISATION At the end of the week, the i-reports could then be generated. ey looked at every stage of the process of making the chair, from

materials to processing, use, waste -3 - + WATER WASTE PO4 NO3 NH4 and end of life. Normally such a report would include packaging but EUTROPHICATION POTENTIAL EP ACIDIFICATION POTENTIAL AP PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE CREATION POTENTIAL POCP

in this case it was omitted as being A far less common term than global warming, eutrophication is the process by This is a measure of the emissions that cause acidifying effects to the This is a measure of emissions or precursors that contribute to low-level smog. beyond the scope of the project. which water receives an excessive amount of nutrients, particularly phosphates environment, which can cause imbalances and the death of species. Emissions of It is measured in kg of ethane equivalent. Ozone layer depletion potential (ODP) Transport was calculated from and nitrates. These nutrients, which typically come from run-off from fertilisers, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide result in acid rain which can fall some way from is also part of the i-report but is not included in the charts because the effect is Benchmark to the Victoria & Albert lead to algal blooms which in turn deprive the water of oxygen and lead to the place where the emissions occur. Acidification potential is measured in kg of negligible. There may seem to be a contradiction between these two impacts but, Museum. e i-reports covered the imbalances and deaths in the aquatic populations. Eutrophication is measured in sulphur dioxide equivalent. put simply, high-level ozone is good and should be protected, whereas ozone at six impacts shown opposite. terms of kg of phosphate equivalent, and kg of nitrogen equivalent. ground level is a pollutant.

OUT OF THE WOODS/LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OUT OF THE WOODS MEASURES CONSIDERED IN LIFE CYCLE ANALYSES that the students made shine a spotlight on many of the issues of sustainability. 2 3

Marc Binder of PE International ABSORPTION gave the students a lecture at UV RADIATION the start of the design process REFLECTION explaining the main sustainability INFRARED RADIATION issues, which they took into CFCs account as they were developing CH4 their chairs. Dr Richard Murphy CO2 of Imperial College London, who was one of the members of the Critical Review Panel of the LCA PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES PRIMARY ENERGY DEMAND RENEWABLE RESOURCES GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL GWP report, also lectured the students. He talked about the principles This is a measure of the total demand of primary energy that comes from non- Like the primary energy demand from non-renewable resources, it is a measure Global warming potential, measured in kg CO2 equivalent, is the measure about renewable resources, such as oil and natural gas. Measured in MJ, the primary of the total amount of primary energy but in this case derived from renewable which we are all most concerned, and it is a good marker for other environmental of life cycle assessment and energy demand takes into account the conversion efficiencies from the primary sources such as hydropower and wind energy. Again it takes conversion issues. It is not however the only important measure, and the i-report therefore provided early guidance on design energy to, for example, electricity. The generation of carbon dioxide from the efficiencies into account where appropriate. Total primary energy demand focuses on a number of others as well. Global warming potential is calculated implications. production of energy is one of the major causes of global warming. can be measured by adding the figures for energy from non-renewable and from the volumes of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, When the students were making renewable resources. which are emitted by a process. the chairs at Benchmark, they measured all the materials that they had used in volume, and also the time that they had spent on each of the machines. ese formed the 5 6 basis of daily reports which were fed into the i-report. is drew on not only the life cycle analyses for American hardwoods, but also PE International’s substantial database HYDROCARBONS DRY AND WARM NITROGEN OXIDES CLIMATE SO2 NOx covering all other materials used. H2SO4 At the end of the week, the HYDROCARBONS i-reports could then be generated. HNO3 NITROGEN OXIDES ey looked at every stage of the OZONE process of making the chair, from materials to processing, use, waste and end of life. Normally such a report would include packaging but EUTROPHICATION POTENTIAL EP ACIDIFICATION POTENTIAL AP PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE CREATION POTENTIAL POCP in this case it was omitted as being A far less common term than global warming, eutrophication is the process by This is a measure of the emissions that cause acidifying effects to the This is a measure of emissions or precursors that contribute to low-level smog. beyond the scope of the project. which water receives an excessive amount of nutrients, particularly phosphates environment, which can cause imbalances and the death of species. Emissions of It is measured in kg of ethane equivalent. Ozone layer depletion potential (ODP) Transport was calculated from and nitrates. These nutrients, which typically come from run-off from fertilisers, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide result in acid rain which can fall some way from is also part of the i-report but is not included in the charts because the effect is Benchmark to the Victoria & Albert lead to algal blooms which in turn deprive the water of oxygen and lead to the place where the emissions occur. Acidification potential is measured in kg of negligible. There may seem to be a contradiction between these two impacts but, Museum. e i-reports covered the imbalances and deaths in the aquatic populations. Eutrophication is measured in sulphur dioxide equivalent. put simply, high-level ozone is good and should be protected, whereas ozone at six impacts shown opposite. terms of kg of phosphate equivalent, and kg of nitrogen equivalent. ground level is a pollutant.

OUT OF THE WOODS LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS/OUT OF THE WOODS

BEEEENCH CONCEPT: Long simple bench with demountable legs ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 10 - 20 years

etter örne’s first degree was a BA in interior architecture and furniture design which he took at Konstfack P in Stockholm. After this he worked as a freelance designer in Copenhagen, and also spent half a year working in Hanoi on product design with local craftsmen, which he saw as a great contrast to his European experience. He finished at the RCA this summer and hopes to work on a number of different products with a network of different people.

OUT OF THE WOODS/BEEEENCH OUT OF THE WOODS A long bench that is strong, light and BEEEENCH portable CONCEPT: Long simple bench with demountable legs ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 10 - 20 years

OUT OF THE WOODS BEEEENCH/OUT OF THE WOODS As the name suggest, the defining örne showed his designs to a THE characteristic of Beeeench is its structural engineer, who said that CHAIR length, coupled with extreme all the elements should be much lightness. Spanning 3.5m (and thicker for stability, but he was HARDWOOD it could even have been longer), confident that his design would be SPECIES USED > it is made up of slender strips of strong enough to support weight, American ash just 5mm thick, even if it twisted slightly in use. He which work in three dimensions chose to use ash because of its high ALDER CHERRY to build up a beam structure. strength and flexibility. e vertical slats are 75mm wide, örne sees museum seating as an GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN and those forming the horizontal ideal application for Beeench, since seating surface are just 50mm it is a modest solution, remarkable

wide. Separate legs can be bolted only for its length, and so would not HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE on, and removed for transport. distract attention from the exhibits.

TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.408 kg 0.043 kg 62.857 kg 2597.570 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60% “He was 40% 20%

conﬁdent his 0% 1 + 12 15 = 3 + 10 = 2 + 15 = 1 + 5 10 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

design would ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Although this bench is very lightweight, it is not economical in materials because of the amount of ﬁnishing involved, The legs can A three- as seen in the impacts. ere is a question mark over be removed for dimensional its durability, which could limit its lifespan. If this were a transport arrangement of be strong ” solution for commercial manufacture, it would be subject to slats gives the some repetitive testing to see how it behaved over time. bench its stability More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS/BEEEENCH OUT OF THE WOODS As the name suggest, the defining örne showed his designs to a characteristic of Beeeench is its structural engineer, who said that length, coupled with extreme all the elements should be much lightness. Spanning 3.5m (and thicker for stability, but he was HARDWOOD it could even have been longer), confident that his design would be SPECIES USED > it is made up of slender strips of strong enough to support weight, American ash just 5mm thick, even if it twisted slightly in use. He which work in three dimensions chose to use ash because of its high ALDER ASH CHERRY to build up a beam structure. strength and flexibility. e vertical slats are 75mm wide, örne sees museum seating as an GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN and those forming the horizontal ideal application for Beeench, since seating surface are just 50mm it is a modest solution, remarkable wide. Separate legs can be bolted only for its length, and so would not HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE on, and removed for transport. distract attention from the exhibits.

TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.408 kg 0.043 kg 62.857 kg 2597.570 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60% “He was 40% 20%

conﬁdent his 0% 1 + 12 15 = 3 + 10 = 2 + 15 = 1 + 5 10 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

design would ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Although this bench is very lightweight, it is not economical in materials because of the amount of ﬁnishing involved, as seen in the impacts. ere is a question mark over be strong its durability, which could limit its lifespan. If this were a ” solution for commercial manufacture, it would be subject to some repetitive testing to see how it behaved over time. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS BEEEENCH/OUT OF THE WOODS Lightness pushed DESIGNED LEGACY CONCEPT: to the extreme Minimising the environmental footprint ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 1 - 2 years

ichael Warren's ﬁrst degree was at Brighton University THE DESIGNER in three- Name: dimensional M design for Michael Warren production. Since then he has Born: worked both for himself and London others, on industrial design and England, 1981 events. He has just completed RCA year: his course at the RCA but will Second be returning next year since one of his graduation projects, a portable CNC router, won a Dyson Fellowship. is will allow him to develop the design, which he hopes to licence, for two days a week over six months.

OUT OF THE WOODS/DESIGNED LEGACY OUT OF THE WOODS DESIGNED LEGACY CONCEPT: Minimising the environmental footprint ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 1 - 2 years

ichael Warren's ﬁrst degree was at Brighton University in three- dimensional M design for production. Since then he has worked both for himself and others, on industrial design and events. He has just completed his course at the RCA but will be returning next year since one of his graduation projects, a portable CNC router, won a Dyson Fellowship. is will allow him to develop the design, which he hopes to licence, for two days a week over six months.

OUT OF THE WOODS DESIGNED LEGACY/OUT OF THE WOODS LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.095 kg 0.010 kg 15.111 kg 639.075 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] 2 2 “I am the 100%

80% only one 60% who wanted 40%

20% to win”

0% Michael Warren 1 + 15 = 1 + = 1 + 18 90 = 1 + 6 18 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING is design deliberately pushed down the embodied carbon as far as possible, by focusing on extreme economy of materials. Nevertheless materials account for a large proportion of the impacts. is is a fascinating exercise, but the end results, while intriguing, are decidedly fragile. So although each stool has a light footprint, there would in real life be a need for frequent replacements – not to mention the trauma and possible danger of breakage. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

It was made clear that the generated by kiln-drying thicker was very ‘purist’, for instance THE design programme was not a sections. He designed a stool that eschewing steam bending to CHAIR competition, but nevertheless could be cut out from a piece create a curve, instead using two Warren said ‘I am the only one of timber measuring 25mm by laminations glued together. He who wanted to win’. He set out to 145mm by 1.6m long. also rejected accepted wisdom > design the chair with the lowest e simple connections that no elements should be less possible environmental impact. developed from much larger scale than 20mm thick, paring them ALDER ASH CHERRY He used a minimal quantity of joints that Warren had studied down to just 18mm. materials in thin sections, since on green timber building frames. Warren made several stools he was impressed by the fact that Because of his desire to minimise during his week at Benchmark. HARDWOOD HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY additional carbon dioxide was the environmental footprint, he SPECIES USED For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 SOFT MAPLE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

OUT OF THE WOODS/DESIGNED LEGACY OUT OF THE WOODS LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.095 kg 0.010 kg 15.111 kg 639.075 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] 2 2 “I am the 100%

The slender elements are fixed with joints derived from timber framing 80% only one 60% who wanted 40%

20% to win” Twin laminations form a curve 0% 1 + 15 = 1 + = 1 + 18 90 = 1 + 6 18 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

It was made clear that the generated by kiln-drying thicker was very ‘purist’, for instance design programme was not a sections. He designed a stool that eschewing steam bending to competition, but nevertheless could be cut out from a piece create a curve, instead using two Warren said ‘I am the only one of timber measuring 25mm by laminations glued together. He who wanted to win’. He set out to 145mm by 1.6m long. also rejected accepted wisdom > design the chair with the lowest e simple connections that no elements should be less possible environmental impact. developed from much larger scale than 20mm thick, paring them ALDER ASH CHERRY GUM He used a minimal quantity of joints that Warren had studied down to just 18mm. materials in thin sections, since on green timber building frames. Warren made several stools he was impressed by the fact that Because of his desire to minimise during his week at Benchmark. HARDWOOD HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY RED OAK additional carbon dioxide was the environmental footprint, he SPECIES USED For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 SOFT MAPLE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

OUT OF THE WOODS DESIGNED LEGACY/OUT OF THE WOODS FLOATING CHAIR CONCEPT: Single seater boat guided by GPS ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 15-25 years

fter a ﬁrst degree in wood- oriented furniture design at the Steneby A school, Sweden, Bobby Petersen came to London and set up a design collective with some friends for a year. When he graduates from the RCA, he hopes to work in both Sweden and London.

omas Gottelier studied design at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and then was a designer/consultant for Design for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka. He also worked as a set designer for television commercials and with fashion label Libertine-Libertine. After graduation from the RCA, he would like to continue to design installations as well as products.

OUT OF THE WOODS/FLOATING CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS A ﬂoating getaway for a dreamy trip FLOATING CHAIR CONCEPT: Single seater boat guided by GPS ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 15-25 years

omas Gottelier studied design at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and then was a designer/consultant THE DESIGNER for Design for Sustainable THE DESIGNER Development in Sri Lanka. Name: Bobby Petersen Name: He also worked as a set omas Gottelier designer for television Born: Sweden, 1984 Born: commercials and with fashion London, England, RCA year: 1988 label Libertine-Libertine. After First graduation from the RCA, RCA year: he would like to continue to First design installations as well as products.

OUT OF THE WOODS FLOATING CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS “ey HARDWOOD SPECIES USED

wanted to ALDER ASH create an GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN

HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE

experience” TULIPWOOD WALNUT For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.481 kg 0.056 kg 106.127 kg 4190.744 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Petersen and Gottelier wanted to students. ere is no rudder, simply ply and veneered in American THE create an experience rather than a small motor set to either side of cherry, chosen both for its high 0%

just a seat, and they have done this the boat. Putting one motor on and strength-to-weight ratio and for 4 + 16 = 8 + 28 = 4 + 16 = 4 + = CHAIR ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY by designing a boat that will carry the other oﬀ will drive the course. its colour, which will darken in POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND a single passenger in comfort on a e idea evolved from a coracle-like sunlight. e keel is in American CATEGORIES

pre-determined journey punched form, which has too great a tendency white oak, which is both durable ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE > FINISHING into an iPhone, that will then drive to spin, into a more conventional and heavy. e boat evidently used a greater volume of materials than the propulsion system. Developed boat shape. Boat builder Will Reed At 2.4m long and 950mm wide, the most of the other solutions, it also however offers an entirely and programmed by Jonas Halfdan spent the week at Benchmark to boat is small but quite large enough different experience. It is the most extreme indication that projects cannot be compared directly but that each must find Jongejan, the propulsion system assist with the making, to offer a haven in which to drift the most sustainable solution on its own terms - in this case was one of the attractions for the e boat has been built in marine meditatively across the water. by using sustainably sourced timbers to create a beautiful and durable object. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS/FLOATING CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS “ey HARDWOOD SPECIES USED wanted to ALDER ASH CHERRY create an GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN

HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE experience” TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.481 kg 0.056 kg 106.127 kg 4190.744 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Petersen and Gottelier wanted to students. ere is no rudder, simply ply and veneered in American create an experience rather than a small motor set to either side of cherry, chosen both for its high 0%

just a seat, and they have done this the boat. Putting one motor on and strength-to-weight ratio and for 4 + 16 = 8 + 28 = 4 + 16 = 4 + = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY by designing a boat that will carry the other off will drive the course. its colour, which will darken in POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND a single passenger in comfort on a e idea evolved from a coracle-like sunlight. e keel is in American CATEGORIES pre-determined journey punched form, which has too great a tendency white oak, which is both durable ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE > FINISHING into an iPhone, that will then drive to spin, into a more conventional and heavy. e boat evidently used a greater volume of materials than the propulsion system. Developed boat shape. Boat builder Will Reed At 2.4m long and 950mm wide, the most of the other solutions, it also however offers an entirely and programmed by Jonas Halfdan spent the week at Benchmark to boat is small but quite large enough different experience. It is the most extreme indication that projects cannot be compared directly but that each must find Jongejan, the propulsion system assist with the making, to offer a haven in which to drift Two small engines guide the boat the most sustainable solution on its own terms - in this case was one of the attractions for the e boat has been built in marine meditatively across the water. by using sustainably sourced timbers to create a beautiful and durable object. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS FLOATING CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS THE DESIGNER Name: Norie Matsumoto Born: Tokyo, Japan, 1978 RCA year: Second FOLDED CHAIR CONCEPT: A beautiful object you can sit on ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 60 - 80 years Asymmetric

folding creates a ommunication technology beautiful object was the subject of Norie Matsumoto's ﬁrst degree, taken in Tokyo.C She then worked as an accounting assistant, but she was always interested in crafts, and it was this passion that brought her to the UK to take an art foundation course in Greenwich and then a BA in ﬁne-craft furniture making at Buckinghamshire New University. Having graduated from the RCA, she hopes to make her own designs, focusing on furniture.

OUT OF THE WOODS/FOLDED CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS FOLDED CHAIR CONCEPT: A beautiful object you can sit on ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 60 - 80 years

ommunication technology was the subject of Norie Matsumoto's ﬁrst degree, taken in Tokyo.C She then worked as an accounting assistant, but she was always interested in crafts, and it was this passion that brought her to the UK to take an art foundation course in Greenwich and then a BA in ﬁne-craft furniture making at Buckinghamshire New University. Having graduated from the RCA, she hopes to make her own designs, focusing on furniture.

OUT OF THE WOODS FOLDED CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS 1 2 3 4 e light and dark e seat Legs fold to the ....an elegant object colours of ash and lifts up back to create... to lean on the wall. walnut emphasise the asymmetry

0.162 kg 0.018 kg 22.914 kg 1099.705 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] THE is design was intended to be a asymmetric nature. ere were 2 2 beautiful timber object that could challenges in the design and a 100% CHAIR also work as a chair, rather than lot to be learnt in the making “It unfolds in LIFE CYCLE the reverse approach which is process but, despite the fact that IMPACTS 80% HARDWOOD more common. Matsumoto was this chair has an unconventional MAKING SPECIES USED > particularly interested in how it starting point, this is a desirable Material has had the a surprising biggest impact on this chair looked when it was folded up and and ‘sittable’ piece of furniture, 60% because there was so little leaning against a wall. From this which one could imagine working processing involved, thanks ALDER ASH CHERRY she developed an asymmetric well in a number of diﬀerent to the decision to use square 40% design which unfolds in a environments. sections and rectangular but elegant elements. e chair has been GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN surprising but elegant manner. e intention may be that it designed for a long life, with Matsumoto made a prototype should spend much of its time carefully considered joints 20% of the chair which was all in resting against a wall as an object to which can, if necessary, be repaired. e fact that it HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE ash, but chose to use a mixture be enjoyed, but few will be able to can be folded away when manner” 0%

of ash and walnut in the ﬁnal resist the temptation to pick it up not in use also makes it 2 + 14 31 3 = 4 + 6 = 3 + 5 = 1 + 6 4 = more versatile, helping to ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY piece, to further point up its and fold and unfold it several times. POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK guarantee its longevity. CATEGORIES For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 More data is available on pages 72 - 77. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING

OUT OF THE WOODS/FOLDED CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS 1 2 3 4 e light and dark e seat Legs fold to the ....an elegant object colours of ash and lifts up back to create... to lean on the wall. walnut emphasise the asymmetry

0.162 kg 0.018 kg 22.914 kg 1099.705 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] is design was intended to be a asymmetric nature. ere were 2 2 beautiful timber object that could challenges in the design and a 100% also work as a chair, rather than lot to be learnt in the making “It unfolds in LIFE CYCLE the reverse approach which is process but, despite the fact that IMPACTS 80% HARDWOOD more common. Matsumoto was this chair has an unconventional MAKING SPECIES USED > particularly interested in how it starting point, this is a desirable Material has had the a surprising biggest impact on this chair looked when it was folded up and and ‘sittable’ piece of furniture, 60% because there was so little leaning against a wall. From this which one could imagine working processing involved, thanks ALDER CHERRY she developed an asymmetric well in a number of diﬀerent to the decision to use square 40% design which unfolds in a environments. sections and rectangular but elegant elements. e chair has been GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN surprising but elegant manner. e intention may be that it designed for a long life, with Matsumoto made a prototype should spend much of its time carefully considered joints 20% of the chair which was all in resting against a wall as an object to which can, if necessary, be repaired. e fact that it HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE ash, but chose to use a mixture be enjoyed, but few will be able to can be folded away when manner” 0% of ash and walnut in the ﬁnal resist the temptation to pick it up not in use also makes it 2 + 14 31 3 = 4 + 6 = 3 + 5 = 1 + 6 4 = more versatile, helping to ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY piece, to further point up its and fold and unfold it several times. POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND TULIPWOOD WHITE OAK guarantee its longevity. CATEGORIES For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 More data is available on pages 72 - 77. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING

OUT OF THE WOODS FOLDED CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS LEFTOVERS CHAIR CONCEPT: Waste not want not plus natural dyes ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 80 - 100 years

fter studying illustration at Brighton University, Lauren Davies worked for four years asA a set designer, and also had her own design company doing photo-shoots and window designs. It was frustration with the temporary nature of her work which led her to apply to the RCA, where she has just completed her ﬁrst year. She wants, she says, 'to create products that have more of a lasting life'.

OUT OF THE WOODS/LEFTOVERS CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS LEFTOVERS CHAIR Kitchen chair CONCEPT: Waste not want not with culinary plus natural dyes ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: elements 80 - 100 years

fter studying illustration at Brighton University, Lauren Davies worked for four years asA a set designer, and also had her own design company doing photo-shoots and window designs. It was frustration with THE DESIGNER the temporary nature of her Name: work which led her to apply Lauren Davies to the RCA, where she has Born: just completed her ﬁrst year. Brighton, She wants, she says, 'to create England, 1982 products that have more of a RCA year: lasting life'. First

OUT OF THE WOODS LEFTOVERS CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS Davies' interest in food and up from offcuts of numerous cooking led her to design a timbers. e legs are of hickory, HARDWOOD “e seat is chair that could be described in chosen because of its strength and THE MAKING SPECIES USED the form of a recipe. It is made straightness, and also because PROCESS up from a variety of American this use suits the fact that it is 1 > hardwoods that are imported to only available in relatively small ALDER ASH CHERRY pickled with Europe, several of which are nut- widths. e 'H' structure joining bearing species. e seat, made the legs is in the related timber, by Windsor chair specialist Sitting pecan. Maple was used for the GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN vinegar” Firm and subsequently shaped by spindles, and the hoop of the Davies, is 'pickled' with vinegar, back is in straight-grained cherry. HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE the legs are 'smoked' and the e flavourings, which supply spindles of the back are 'flavoured' colour, include saffron, paprika, with fruit essences. e whole blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK design is based on the form of a beetroot, blackberry, pomegranate For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 kitchen chair with the seat built and onion skins. 2

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.163 kg 0.017 kg 31.052 kg 1025.955 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100% 3 80%

60%

40%

20%

0% 2 + 9 3 = 4 + 3 = 2 + 10 = 1 + 4 7 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY 4 POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES:

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Using oﬀcuts to build up the seat would reduce the footprint of this chair by employing ‘free’ waste materials, but this was not allowed for in the LCA. Processing had a high impact on this chair, largely due to the steam bending of the back and the use of a blowtorch. All treatments are natural, from the vinegar which brings out the tannins, to the fruit and spice ﬂavours. Some of these may prove to be fugitive in light – Davies was eager to carry out more tests. e form of the chair is classic, and this sturdy object should have a long and - dare we say - fruitful existence. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS/LEFTOVERS CHAIR OUT OF THE WOODS Davies' interest in food and up from offcuts of numerous THE cooking led her to design a timbers. e legs are of hickory, HARDWOOD “e seat is CHAIR chair that could be described in chosen because of its strength and THE MAKING SPECIES USED the form of a recipe. It is made straightness, and also because PROCESS up from a variety of American this use suits the fact that it is 1 Vinegar wash > hardwoods that are imported to only available in relatively small Painting the vinegar onto the chair ASH pickled with Europe, several of which are nut- widths. e 'H' structure joining to darken it bearing species. e seat, made the legs is in the related timber, by Windsor chair specialist Sitting pecan. Maple was used for the GUM vinegar” Firm and subsequently shaped by spindles, and the hoop of the Davies, is 'pickled' with vinegar, back is in straight-grained cherry. the legs are 'smoked' and the e flavourings, which supply spindles of the back are 'flavoured' colour, include saffron, paprika, with fruit essences. e whole blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, TULIPWOOD design is based on the form of a beetroot, blackberry, pomegranate For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 kitchen chair with the seat built and onion skins. Hot work 2 Using a blow torch to blacken the base

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.163 kg 0.017 kg 31.052 kg 1025.955 kg Vinegar with rusty SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] 2 2 metal in it brought out the tannins, 100% highlighting grain pattern and texture. Fruit dyes coloured 3 Kitchen work 80% the spindles Spices, fruit and vegetables were used to create colour treatments

60%

40%

20%

Legs were blackened with a 0% blow torch - rather 2 + 9 3 = 4 + 3 = 2 + 10 = 1 + 4 7 = like spit roasting Colour palate ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY 4 POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND Every food mix imparted a different CATEGORIES: colour

OUT OF THE WOODS LEFTOVERS CHAIR/OUT OF THE WOODS THE DESIGNER Name: Santi Guerrero Font Born: Girona, Spain, 1981 RCA year: NUM. 4 First CONCEPT: Simplicity. honesty. hidden complexity ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 30-50 years

anti Guerrero A deceptively Font has just completed his simple design ﬁrst year at the relied on having RCA. He took his ﬁrst degree in accurate jigs industrial S design in Girona and then worked for technical and sound engineering companies in Barcelona, including designing robot arms for undersea work. He would like to set up his own design studio in London, and has already worked with other studios there. He is also looking at projects in Barcelona which would involve the re-use of empty spaces.

OUT OF THE WOODS/NUM. 4 OUT OF THE WOODS NUM. 4 CONCEPT: Simplicity. honesty. hidden complexity ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 30-50 years

anti Guerrero Font has just completed his ﬁrst year at the RCA. He took his ﬁrst degree in industrial S design in Girona and then worked for technical and sound engineering companies in Barcelona, including designing robot arms for undersea work. He would like to set up his own design studio in London, and has already worked with other studios there. He is also looking at projects in Barcelona which would involve the re-use of empty spaces.

OUT OF THE WOODS NUM. 4/OUT OF THE WOODS is slender chair, with glued an elegant object, and one that joints, reflects Guerrero Font’s would repay further exploration. interest in Danish style, which During development of the HARDWOOD I wanted typically showcases construction design, Guerrero Font managed SPECIES USED “ techniques. ‘I wanted to work to slim down the thickness of > with something visually very the timber from 20mm to 12mm. simple and honest,’ he explained, ‘I realised that the complexity ALDER CHERRY to hide the ‘and to hide the complexity of of the chair lay in making the the issues involved.’ You can see jigs,’ he explained. ‘I learnt a lot GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN where the legs pass through the about ways to work with wood structure, and where their ends at Benchmark, that I hadn’t even complexity of become flush with the seat. thought about. Just having an idea HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE is may not be the most and drawing it is very different comfortable chair, but Guerrero to seeing it through to a final TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK Font was more interested in piece. ere are so many different For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 the issues” investigating the process of making, solutions you can use to make one rather than having a finished thing. You have to learn which is Santi Guerrero Font comfortable chair. He has created the most accurate.’

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.082 kg 0.009 kg 13.616 kg 558.426 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% 4 + 12 16 = 4 + 12 = 4 + 16 = 4 + +28 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING By choosing ash, one of the strongest hardwoods, Guerrero Font has managed to slim down his initial design, and so use less wood. Since most of the eﬀort involved was in making jigs that could create the simple-looking but diﬃcult joints, this would be a relatively straightforward chair to make. e jigs would be reusable, and the making of repeated chairs would involve relatively small amounts of energy. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS/NUM. 4 OUT OF THE WOODS is slender chair, with glued an elegant object, and one that THE joints, reflects Guerrero Font’s would repay further exploration. CHAIR interest in Danish style, which During development of the HARDWOOD I wanted typically showcases construction design, Guerrero Font managed SPECIES USED “ techniques. ‘I wanted to work to slim down the thickness of > with something visually very the timber from 20mm to 12mm. simple and honest,’ he explained, ‘I realised that the complexity ALDER ASH CHERRY to hide the ‘and to hide the complexity of of the chair lay in making the the issues involved.’ You can see jigs,’ he explained. ‘I learnt a lot GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN where the legs pass through the about ways to work with wood structure, and where their ends at Benchmark, that I hadn’t even complexity of become flush with the seat. thought about. Just having an idea HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE is may not be the most and drawing it is very different comfortable chair, but Guerrero to seeing it through to a final TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK Font was more interested in piece. ere are so many different For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 the issues” investigating the process of making, solutions you can use to make one rather than having a finished thing. You have to learn which is comfortable chair. He has created the most accurate.’

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.082 kg 0.009 kg 13.616 kg 558.426 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] A textural change 2 2 where the legs meet the seat 100%

80%

60%

40%

Elements are slender, made possible by 20% the strength of American ash 0% 4 + 12 16 = 4 + 12 = 4 + 16 = 4 + +28 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

OUT OF THE WOODS NUM. 4/OUT OF THE WOODS PHYLLIDA CONCEPT: A plank, veneers and bungee cord ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 5 - 10 years

he first qualification for Nicholas Gardner was a diploma in arts and furniture design at RMIT in Melbourne. T He started making furniture and sculpture as commissions, as well as doing some of his own work, and came to the RCA in order to get a more conceptual grasp of design. He has just completed his first year, and is particularly interested in work where he wraps folded metal to create volume.

David Horan started his career with a certiﬁcate in mechanical engineering, followed by an art foundation course in Coventry and then a BA in transport design. He has just completed his ﬁrst year at the RCA and is interested in having the freedom to follow a range of interests, including graphic, product and furniture design. He would like to work internationally as a freelance designer.

OUT OF THE WOODS/PHYLLIDA OUT OF THE WOODS A bench that packs ﬂat for transport

PHYLLIDA CONCEPT: A plank, veneers and bungee cord ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 5 - 10 years he first qualification for Nicholas Gardner was a diploma in arts and furniture design at RMIT in Melbourne. T He started making furniture and sculpture as commissions, as well as doing some of his own work, and came to the RCA in order to get a more conceptual grasp of design. He has just completed his first year, and is particularly interested in work where he wraps folded metal to create volume.

David Horan started his career with a certiﬁcate in mechanical engineering, followed by an art foundation course in Coventry and then a BA in transport design. He has just completed THE DESIGNER THE DESIGNER his ﬁrst year at the RCA and is Name: Name: interested in having the freedom David Horan Nicholas Gardner to follow a range of interests, Born: Born: including graphic, product and Dublin, Melbourne, furniture design. He would like Ireland, 1982 Australia, 1988 to work internationally as a RCA year: RCA year: freelance designer. First First

OUT OF THE WOODS PHYLLIDA/OUT OF THE WOODS is design was inspired by a work long bench in solid tulipwood. is assembled join the rings to ALDER ASH CHERRY GUM THE by the sculptor Phyllida Barlow, e legs fit in to tulipwood base hooks on the underneath of the CHAIR in which she uses a single screw rings, and to a circular groove in flat seat. One person can carry the to fix a piece of MDF and create the underside of the bench. When disassembled structure. Horan and HARDWOOD HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY RED OAK volume. Horan and Gardner’s the bench is carried, the ‘legs’ Gardner chose tulipwood for its SPECIES USED design also wraps a thin material unroll to become flat, and the high strength and light weight. It is For more information on U.S. > hardwood species, turn to pXX SOFT MAPLE WALNUT WHITE OAK to create not just volume but also base rings slot in to another set also a material that can easily take LIFE CYCLE a surprising amount of strength. of grooves under the bench. e stains or be painted. IMPACTS MAKING

Pieces of ply just 1.5mm thick are whole assembly is held together 0.205 kg 0.023 kg 29.840 kg 1762.708 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] rolled to create the legs of a 2m with cords, which when the bench 2 2

100%

80%

60%

“A thin 40%

material wraps 20%

0% 1 + 14 2 = 2 + 31 = 2 + 7 = 1 + 4 370 3 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND to create CATEGORIES

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Initially Horan and Gardner designed the bench with volume and aluminium rings for the feet, but switched to timber because of its much lower environmental footprint. e surface of the bench will be durable, as will the feet. If the plywood for the legs requires more frequent replacement, it will be compensated for by the fact that it is so light in weight. strength Overall, this is a solid solution created with great economy ” of materials, and can pack away to a minimal volume for transport. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

e bench consists of a 1 ﬂat surface, two 2 3 4 veneers and two e veneers are Solid rings are added Bungee cords hold the base rings curved and slotted into to form the feet assembly together rings in the base

OUT OF THE WOODS/PHYLLIDA OUT OF THE WOODS is design was inspired by a work long bench in solid tulipwood. is assembled join the rings to ALDER ASH CHERRY GUM by the sculptor Phyllida Barlow, e legs fit in to tulipwood base hooks on the underneath of the in which she uses a single screw rings, and to a circular groove in flat seat. One person can carry the to fix a piece of MDF and create the underside of the bench. When disassembled structure. Horan and HARDWOOD HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY RED OAK volume. Horan and Gardner’s the bench is carried, the ‘legs’ Gardner chose tulipwood for its SPECIES USED design also wraps a thin material unroll to become flat, and the high strength and light weight. It is For more information on U.S. > hardwood species, turn to pXX SOFT MAPLE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK to create not just volume but also base rings slot in to another set also a material that can easily take LIFE CYCLE a surprising amount of strength. of grooves under the bench. e stains or be painted. IMPACTS MAKING

100%

80%

60%

“A thin 40% material wraps 20%

0% 1 + 14 2 = 2 + 31 = 2 + 7 = 1 + 4 370 3 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND to create CATEGORIES

OUT OF THE WOODS PHYLLIDA/OUT OF THE WOODS Tensioned strings hold discrete elements SNELSON CONCEPT: together Stool based on idea of tensegrity ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 10 - 20 years

am Weller’s ﬁrst degree was a bachelor of science in industrial design and engineering at Brunel University, which also Sincluded a seven-month period in San Francisco studying typography and graphics. He worked in Scotland on the development of a transport incubator for neonatal babies, and now carries out freelance design work in lighting and electronics. Having just graduated from the RCA, he hopes to work in furniture design.

THE DESIGNER Name: Sam Weller Born: Bath, England, 1985 RCA year: Second

OUT OF THE WOODS/SNELSON OUT OF THE WOODS SNELSON CONCEPT: Stool based on idea of tensegrity ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 10 - 20 years

OUT OF THE WOODS SNELSON/OUT OF THE WOODS e stool is named after sculptor that is more commonly used to HARDWOOD THE Kenneth Snelson, whose tighten the stays on a yacht. SPECIES USED CHAIR sculpture Needle Tower II inspired e rigging makes the appearance “It is possible Weller when he saw it in the complex, and so Weller deliberately Netherlands. Snelson’s ideas were kept the other elements as simple ALDER ASH CHERRY > the foundation of Buckminster as possible – a disk for the seat of to disassemble Fuller’s tensegrity designs, the stool, and circular legs with which are structures that are rounded ends that are deliberately GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN held together entirely by tensile evocative of broomsticks. It is behaviour. Weller’s design is for a possible to disassemble and and reassemble HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE three-legged stool that uses string reassemble the stools, although under tension to hold together doing this presents a daunting the elements, which do not even intellectual puzzle. TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK need to touch. Following advice Because manufacture was the stools For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 ” from Sean Sutcliﬀe at Benchmark, relatively straightforward, Weller Weller used a marine rigging had the time to make stools in a called Dyneema which does not variety of timbers. e light stools creep (stretch under continued could work as occasional seating loading). e rigging is tightened in a home, or be taken outside for with a lashed pulley arrangement special events.

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.019 kg 0.002 kg 3.026 kg 130.667 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% 3 + 13 4 = 7 + 47 2 = 5 + 18 4 = 2 + 6 5 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND CATEGORIES

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Manufacturing processes for the stool are simple, so that the energy that goes into making it is kept to a minimum. Weller created stools in a variety of hardwood species. Weller, who had studied a module on designing for Snelson can easily be disassembled sustainability in his ﬁrst degree, was also aware that it would be relatively easy to replace any part if it became damaged. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS/SNELSON OUT OF THE WOODS e stool is named after sculptor that is more commonly used to HARDWOOD Kenneth Snelson, whose tighten the stays on a yacht. It is possible SPECIES USED sculpture Needle Tower II inspired e rigging makes the appearance “ Weller when he saw it in the complex, and so Weller deliberately Netherlands. Snelson’s ideas were kept the other elements as simple ALDER > the foundation of Buckminster as possible – a disk for the seat of to disassemble Fuller’s tensegrity designs, the stool, and circular legs with which are structures that are rounded ends that are deliberately GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN held together entirely by tensile evocative of broomsticks. It is behaviour. Weller’s design is for a possible to disassemble and and reassemble HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE three-legged stool that uses string reassemble the stools, although under tension to hold together doing this presents a daunting the elements, which do not even intellectual puzzle. TULIPWOOD WHITE OAK need to touch. Following advice Because manufacture was the stools For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 ” from Sean Sutcliﬀe at Benchmark, relatively straightforward, Weller Weller used a marine rigging had the time to make stools in a called Dyneema which does not variety of timbers. e light stools creep (stretch under continued could work as occasional seating loading). e rigging is tightened in a home, or be taken outside for with a lashed pulley arrangement special events.

LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS MAKING

0.019 kg 0.002 kg 3.026 kg 130.667 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

3 + 13 4 = 7 + 47 2 = 5 + 18 4 = 2 + 6 5 = A lashed pulley with a half hitch tightens ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND the rigging. This stool is in ash CATEGORIES

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING Manufacturing processes for the stool are simple, so that the energy that goes into making it is kept to a minimum. Weller, who had studied a module on designing for sustainability in his ﬁrst degree, was also aware that it would be relatively easy to replace any part if it became damaged. More data is available on pages 72 - 77.

OUT OF THE WOODS SNELSON/OUT OF THE WOODS SOLITUDE CONCEPT: Solidity creates a special space ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 100+ years

fter an art foundation course in Surrey, Mary Argyrou studied product and furniture design atA Ravensbourne College in east London. She worked in London and Amsterdam, and spent some time in Cyprus with traditional craftsmen who worked in wood and ceramics. She has just graduated from the RCA and would like to work for a small studio where she could reinterpret craft-based techniques with traditional inﬂuences.

OUT OF THE WOODS/SOLITUDE OUT OF THE WOODS THE DESIGNER Name: Mary Argyrou Born: Limassol, Cyprus, 1985 RCA year: Second SOLITUDE CONCEPT: Solidity creates a special space ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 100+ years A chair inspired fter an art by Cypriot church foundation course in Surrey, furniture Mary Argyrou studied product and furniture design atA Ravensbourne College in east London. She worked in London and Amsterdam, and spent some time in Cyprus with traditional craftsmen who worked in wood and ceramics. She has just graduated from the RCA and would like to work for a small studio where she could reinterpret craft-based techniques with traditional inﬂuences.

OUT OF THE WOODS SOLITUDE/OUT OF THE WOODS Based on the chairs that are THE 0.212 kg 0.023 kg 31.224 kg 1585.81 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] used in Cypriot churches, 2 2 Argyrou’s seat has a deliberately CHAIR “e user 100% solid design that gives the LIFE CYCLE occupant a sense of permanence IMPACTS MAKING > and deﬁnes their position in 80% space. In this way it gives them steps back e design of this chair requires the use of a relatively large volume a feeling of privacy even though of wood, and while it would be 60% they are among other people. possible to reduce the quantity Made in cherry, it has solid sides of timber, for example through into a private the use of lamination, this would 40% that use the full two-inch ( 5cm) contravene its aesthetic purpose. thickness of the wood, with a It is intended to be weighty and durable. In sustainability terms the hinged fold-down seat between 20% durability is an important factor. them. With the seat down, the space Church furniture can easily last user can step back entirely into ” for over a century, and there is no their own private space. reason why this chair should not do 0% the same. It is robust and will not 4 + 13 5 = 7 + 10 = 6 + 18 = 2 + 5 18 8 = Four turned-wood posts rise ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY fall out of fashion. With no delicate POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND from the corners, joined by parts that could fail, it should ensure CATEGORIES narrower turned members to a long lifespan in this form for the timber that it embodies. More data ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE create a back and armrests. FINISHING is available on pages 72 - 77. is use of turning echoes one of the skills of traditional Cypriot craftsmen. Cherry is a timber that is relatively easy to turn, and Argyrou also chose it because it is one of the timbers that is frequently used in Cypriot church furniture. She liked its warm colour which still allows you to see the elements of the workmanship, unlike the dark hue of walnut, another traditional timber, which tends to obscure details.

The seat folds up to allow the user to be HARDWOOD contained in the SPECIES USED space that is defined by the sides ALDER ASH

GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN

HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE

TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

OUT OF THE WOODS/SOLITUDE OUT OF THE WOODS Based on the chairs that are 0.212 kg 0.023 kg 31.224 kg 1585.81 kg SO - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ] used in Cypriot churches, 2 2 Argyrou’s seat has a deliberately “e user 100% solid design that gives the LIFE CYCLE occupant a sense of permanence IMPACTS MAKING > and deﬁnes their position in 80% space. In this way it gives them steps back e design of this chair requires the use of a relatively large volume a feeling of privacy even though of wood, and while it would be 60% they are among other people. possible to reduce the quantity Made in cherry, it has solid sides of timber, for example through into a private the use of lamination, this would 40% that use the full two-inch ( 5cm) contravene its aesthetic purpose. thickness of the wood, with a It is intended to be weighty and durable. In sustainability terms the hinged fold-down seat between 20% durability is an important factor. them. With the seat down, the space Church furniture can easily last user can step back entirely into ” for over a century, and there is no their own private space. reason why this chair should not do 0% the same. It is robust and will not 4 + 13 5 = 7 + 10 = 6 + 18 = 2 + 5 18 8 = Four turned-wood posts rise ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY fall out of fashion. With no delicate POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND from the corners, joined by parts that could fail, it should ensure CATEGORIES Turning echoes narrower turned members to a long lifespan in this form for the traditional Cypriot timber that it embodies. More data ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE create a back and armrests. FINISHING skills is available on pages 72 - 77. is use of turning echoes one of the skills of traditional Cypriot craftsmen. Cherry is a timber that is relatively easy to turn, and Argyrou also chose it because it is one of the timbers that is frequently used in Cypriot church furniture. She liked its warm colour which still allows you to see the elements of the workmanship, unlike the dark hue of walnut, another traditional timber, which tends to obscure details.

HARDWOOD SPECIES USED

ALDER ASH CHERRY

GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN

HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE

TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

OUT OF THE WOODS SOLITUDE/OUT OF THE WOODS An asymmetric joint lets straight timber bend

SQUEEZE CONCEPT: A special joint and carefully selected timber ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 5-10 years

ic Wallenberg ﬁrst studied industrial design at Rhode Island School of Design in Nthe United States. Following internships with furniture designers Tomoko Azumi and Front, he carried out a number of freelance commissions, and had his own shows at Designers Block. He has just ﬁnished at the RCA and hopes to collaborate with other graduating students in a shared studio.

THE DESIGNER Name: Nic Wallenberg Born: Wimbledon, England, 1983 RCA year: Second

OUT OF THE WOODS/SQUEEZE OUT OF THE WOODS SQUEEZE CONCEPT: A special joint and carefully selected timber ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 5-10 years

OUT OF THE WOODS SQUEEZE/OUT OF THE WOODS e idea behind this chair is to create asymmetrically positioned slots set within the thickness of e seat the timber in each of the axes. “ Under the load of a seated person, > these joints will bend, becoming concave on the side of the thinner flexes to an piece. In this way, the seat and back can flex into an ergonomic shape that is comfortable for sitting, allowing straight pieces ergonomic of timber to be used that would create curves in operation. e chair contains just five bolts. Although the idea is shape” simple, the making of it was less straightforward, because selection of timbers needed to ensure that the grain ran straight in the areas where the slots were placed. e squeeze chair was made in hickory, a flexible material that allowed Wallenberg to work it by hand rather than requiring steam bending.

0.054 kg 0.006kg 9.6001 kg 343.829 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100% LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS 80% MAKING

is approach reduces 60% HARDWOOD the number of operations SPECIES USED needed to make a comfortable chair, such 40% as steam bending. Its dependency on very ALDER ASH CHERRY accurate grain selection does, however, mean that 20%

a lot of material will be GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN rejected – not a problem if other uses can be 0%

found for it. More data is 2 + 13 8 = 4 + 9 = 2 + 15 = 1 + 6 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE available on pages 72 - 77. POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND

CATEGORIES:

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK FINISHING For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

OUT OF THE WOODS/SQUEEZE OUT OF THE WOODS e idea behind this chair is to THE create asymmetrically positioned CHAIR slots set within the thickness of e seat the timber in each of the axes. “ Under the load of a seated person, > these joints will bend, becoming concave on the side of the thinner flexes to an piece. In this way, the seat and back can flex into an ergonomic shape that is comfortable for sitting, allowing straight pieces ergonomic of timber to be used that would create curves in operation. e chair contains just five bolts. Although the idea is shape” simple, the making of it was less straightforward, because selection of timbers needed to ensure that the grain ran straight in the areas where the slots were placed. e squeeze chair was made in hickory, a flexible material that allowed Wallenberg to work it by hand rather than requiring steam bending.

0.054 kg 0.006kg 9.6001 kg 343.829 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100% LIFE CYCLE IMPACTS 80% MAKING

a lot of material will be GUM HARD MAPLE PECAN rejected – not a problem if other uses can be 0%

found for it. More data is 2 + 13 8 = 4 + 9 = 2 + 15 = 1 + 6 = ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY HICKORY RED OAK SOFT MAPLE available on pages 72 - 77. POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND

CATEGORIES:

ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK FINISHING For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70

OUT OF THE WOODS SQUEEZE/OUT OF THE WOODS TREE FURNITURE CONCEPT: ree cuts with a chainsaw A log carved in ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 30 years situ creates a rustic seat he half-Chilean Anton Alvarez took his original degree, a BA in interior architecture and Tfurniture design, at Konstfack in Stockholm, and spent a year freelancing before coming to the Royal College of Art, from where he has just graduated. For his ﬁnal project he developed a machine that wraps threads around furniture components to bind them together. Alvarez already has some design commissions and has taken part in several exhibitions.

OUT OF THE WOODS/TREE FURNITURE TREE FURNITURE CONCEPT: ree cuts with a chainsaw A log carved in ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 30 years situ creates a rustic seat he half-Chilean Anton Alvarez took his original degree, a BA in interior architecture and Tfurniture design, at Konstfack in Stockholm, and spent a year freelancing before coming to the Royal College of Art, from where he has just graduated. For his ﬁnal project he developed a machine that wraps threads around furniture components to bind them together. Alvarez already has some design commissions and has taken part in several exhibitions.

THE DESIGNER Name: Anton Alvarez Born: Uppsala,Sweden, 1980 RCA year: Second

OUT OF THE WOODS OUT OF THE WOODS TULIPWOOD A HIC GUM SPEC HARDW F or more information on informationon more or / LDER TREE KORY FUR IES U N RED OAK RED MAPLE HARD A WALN OO ITURE SH U.S UT . hardwood species, turn to p70 SED D WHITE OAK SOFTMAPLE PE C HERRY CAN wood remainsuncut bench the of “ One end end One ” L CO nutrients to the soil. soil. the to nutrients on the ground and give up its bench, like the offcuts, will decay of course, at the end of its life, the part of the ‘natural’ aesthetic. And is happy to accept the cracks as dramatically Alvarezquite but split unseasoned timber will dry and not least in terms of durability.e comparablesolutions, other to no finishing. ebench is not and site, transportto no theory to the material, since there is in relatebench associatedthis with Almost all of the impacts available on pages 72 -77. IFE > NSIDERA CYC time, rather than fading. few that becomes darker with timber is that it is one of the particularlylikes about the One of the things Alvarez in the grounds of Benchmark. cherry,American of log outside bench from asingle untreated in England. He did carve his hardwoodAmericanwith Alvarezsince was working had to be adapted slightly had been felled –an idea that on the forest floor where it from atree cut down and left that it should be carved simply e concept for this seat was LE More data is

TIO NS ASSEMBLY/ FINISHING ACIDI POTENTI SO kg 0.118 kg 2 F -E IC A quiv. TION TION AL MA EU Phosphate-E TERI TRO

POTENTI 0+++0= speciﬁcallymade. something that has been a special magic in ﬁnding perch on atree stump, there is tired walker could happily through the woods. While a on such abench during awalk would be apleasure to happen still on. Alvarez’ idea is that it as uncut wood, with the bark One end of the bench remains his bench with just three cuts. mill and achainsaw to create has done, using aportable saw simplicity, and this is what he kg kg 0.026 AL P His intention was to achieve HIC A AL TION TION quiv. CA PROCESSING TEGORIES:

G 0+9++0= LOB POTENTI CO A 19.017 L W 2 -E A

quiv. kg RMING RMING TRA AL NSP

ORT ENERGY TOT 0++net cal. Value [M +0= 8361.817 kg AL P

A DEM A RIM USE PH A USE RY ND J]

SE 0+2+0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% +0= PR T 4 3 2 1 HE M OC ESS AK IN G OUT OF THE WOODS OUT OF THE WOODS TULIPWOOD A HIC GUM SPEC HARDW F or more information on informationon more or LDER KORY IES U RED OAK RED MAPLE HARD A WALN OO SH U.S UT . hardwood species, turn to p70 SED D WHITE OAK SOFTMAPLE PE CAN wood remainsuncut bench the of “ One end end One ” CHAIR THE THE CO L available on pages 72 -77. soil. the to nutrients on the ground and give up its bench, like the offcuts, will decay of course, at the end of its life, the part of the ‘natural’ aesthetic. And is happy to accept the cracks as dramatically Alvarezquite but split unseasoned timber will dry and not least in terms of durability.e comparablesolutions, other to no finishing. ebench is not and site, transportto no theory to the material, since there is in relatebench associatedthis with Almost all of the impacts IFE > NSIDERA CYC time, rather than fading. few that becomes darker with timber is that it is one of the particularlylikes about the One of the things Alvarez in the grounds of Benchmark. cherry,American of log outside bench from asingle untreated in England. He did carve his hardwoodAmericanwith Alvarezsince was working had to be adapted slightly had been felled –an idea that on the forest floor where it from atree cut down and left that it should be carved simply e concept for this seat was LE More data is

TIO NS ASSEMBLY/ FINISHING ACIDI POTENTI SO kg 0.118 kg 2 F -E IC A quiv. TION TION AL MA EU Phosphate-E TERI TRO

G 0+9++0= LOB POTENTI CO A 19.017 L W 2 -E A

quiv. kg RMING RMING TRA AL NSP

ORT ENERGY TOT 0++net cal. Value [M +0= 8361.817 kg AL P

A DEM A RIM USE PH A USE RY ND J]

SE 0+2+0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% +0= PR T 2 1 4 3 HE M OC the edge of the wood power Human positionedlog the on O the final form final the reveal to Removingmaterial cut the M relativelyrapidprocess Actually making the cuts was a N on the log T O he cuts were marked out exactly o going back going o n aroll n the right lines oment of truth of oment ESS AK TREE IN G FUR N ITURE / OUT OF THE WOODS WELL PROVEN CONCEPT: Wood chips Experimentation with resin and waste materials and resin create ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: unpredictable 10-15 years results n a ﬁrst degree at the Design Lab of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, Marjan van Aubel focused on process and development. is Istarted her interest in research into materials, which she carried through several years working. She has now graduated from the RCA and hopes to start a studio.

James Shaw studied product and furniture design at Kingston University and absorbed from THE DESIGNER there the idea of intelligent Name: making – of how to make James Shaw objects in a simpler, more Born: interesting way. He has just Newcastle, completed his ﬁrst year at the England, 1987 THE DESIGNER RCA, and hopes to continue his RCA year: Name: collaboration with van Aubel. First Marjan van Aubel Born: e Netherlands, 1985 RCA year: Second

OUT OF THE WOODS/WELL PROVEN OUT OF THE WOODS WELL PROVEN CONCEPT: Experimentation with resin and waste materials ANTICIPATED LIFESPAN: 10-15 years

n a ﬁrst degree at the Design Lab of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, Marjan van Aubel focused on process and development. is Istarted her interest in research into materials, which she carried through several years working. She has now graduated from the RCA and hopes to start a studio.

James Shaw studied product and furniture design at Kingston University and absorbed from there the idea of intelligent making – of how to make objects in a simpler, more interesting way. He has just completed his ﬁrst year at the RCA, and hopes to continue his collaboration with van Aubel.

OUT OF THE WOODS WELL PROVEN/OUT OF THE WOODS The starting point for the design of this chair was the fact that, even THE MAKING e mixture in a well-run factory, between 50 PROCESS “ and 80% of the timber becomes waste. They therefore looked at 1 Testing, testing The pair created ways of incorporating the lowest > numerous samples creates a kind form of timber, the shavings, into the design of the chair. Following extensive testing, they came up with a combination of a bio-resin, of controlled water, and shavings of a mixture of lengths (generated by different operations), that created a kind of controlled explosion. explosion” e resin, mixed with a colour, forms a porridge-like mass, which Hands on can be moulded against an existing 2 Applying the resin mix to the chair 'mould' classic polypropylene chair to create a seat form (why create a mould when such an excellent one is already available?) and is ﬁxed to simple but elegant legs of turned ash – a deliberate contrast to the exuberance of the seat. is is a method for creating unique chairs, since the behaviour of the mixture is unpredictable, and the

Art or science? colours do not mix evenly. 3 The workspace was like a laboratory

0.093 kg 0.0150 kg 21.142 kg 511.493 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100% LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS 80% e idea of using waste materials within the body of a chair is appealing, although the need to 60% No two alike select the materials carefully limits 4 Every chair has its own character the amount that can be used. Shavings from different timbers 40% give different effects – for instance, cherry shavings impart a definite reddish hue. 20% e biggest uncertainty is with the bio-resin for which little clear data is available. Van Aubel and Shaw have used it in a very different 0% 4 + 7 21 2 = 5 + 10 2 = 4 + 7 3 = 2 + 4 18 = ALDER ASH CHERRY GUM way from the manufacturer’s ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY recommendation, and so it is hard to POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND judge how durable the chair will be. CATEGORIES: e pair are eager to continue their HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY RED OAK HARDWOOD researches. More data is available ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING SPECIES USED on pages 72 - 77.

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 SOFT MAPLE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

OUT OF THE WOODS/WELL PROVEN OUT OF THE WOODS The starting point for the design of THE this chair was the fact that, even THE MAKING e mixture in a well-run factory, between 50 CHAIR PROCESS “ and 80% of the timber becomes waste. They therefore looked at 1 ways of incorporating the lowest > creates a kind form of timber, the shavings, into the design of the chair. Following extensive testing, they came up with a combination of a bio-resin, of controlled water, and shavings of a mixture of lengths (generated by different operations), that created a kind of controlled explosion. explosion” e resin, mixed with a colour, forms a porridge-like mass, which 2 can be moulded against an existing classic polypropylene chair to create a seat form (why create a mould when such an excellent one is already available?) and is ﬁxed to simple but elegant legs of turned ash – a deliberate contrast to the exuberance of the seat. is is a method for creating unique chairs, since the behaviour of the mixture is unpredictable, and the 3 colours do not mix evenly.

0.093 kg 0.0150 kg 21.142 kg 511.493 kg

SO2 - Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2 - Equiv. net cal. Value [MJ]

100% LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS 80% e idea of using waste materials within the body of a chair is appealing, although the need to 60% select the materials carefully limits 4 the amount that can be used.

Shavings from different timbers 40% give different effects – for instance, cherry shavings impart a definite reddish hue. 20% e biggest uncertainty is with the bio-resin for which little clear data is available. Van Aubel and Shaw have used it in a very different 0% 4 + 7 21 2 = 5 + 10 2 = 4 + 7 3 = 2 + 4 18 = ALDER CHERRY GUM way from the manufacturer’s ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING TOTAL PRIMARY recommendation, and so it is hard to POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND judge how durable the chair will be. CATEGORIES: e pair are eager to continue their HARD MAPLE PECAN HICKORY RED OAK HARDWOOD researches. More data is available ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE FINISHING SPECIES USED on pages 72 - 77.

For more information on U.S. hardwood species, turn to p70 SOFT MAPLE TULIPWOOD WALNUT WHITE OAK

OUT OF THE WOODS WELL PROVEN/OUT OF THE WOODS Life Cycle Assessment DATA SHEETS Day

Name

years ago by Sean Sutcliffe and Sir Terence Conran. While some of the workforce were seconded to help students, most continued to make the furniture for which the company is known, designed either internally or by renowned or newly discovered designers. e complex, a mix of converted farm buildings with others of an agro-industrial aesthetic, houses not just the workshops but also a showroom, and little disturbed its smooth running - apart from an encampment of tents in what was virtually Conran’s back garden. A pair of striped blue underpants appeared on a stone gatepost to dry out after a photographer had strayed too far into a stream to photograph the test launch of the floating chair, but otherwise it was business as usual – until one walked into the shed. Among the craftsmen calmly making high-quality furniture were the more excitable, but closely focused students, concentrating on the best ways to make their or a week in July, designs work and being guided the Benchmark where necessary through the tasks plant at Kintbury, involved. In addition to two of his Berkshire was turned own team, Pete Everest and Mark upside down, as 14 Hinton, Sean Sutcliffe had brought students descended, in specialist wood turner Mike along withF their tutors and Bradley and boat builder Will Reed. mentors. Space was found for 13 Independent furniture maker/ of them in the main woodworking designers Sebastian Cox and Liam shop, with the 14th working Treanor also helped, as did RCA outside, chainsawing a log, while tutor Harry Richardson. surrounded by trees. Some of their Richardson said: ‘e week at fellow students also came to help. Benchmark gave the students In an incredible feat of an immersive experience that organisation, manufacture continued saw them exploring their ideas at this company, founded nearly 30 within the context of a busy

OUT OF THE WOODS/NUMBER 4 OUT OF THE WOODS years ago by Sean Sutcliffe and Sir Terence Conran. While some of the workforce were seconded to help students, most continued to make the furniture for which the company Degn is known, designed either internally or by renowned or newly discovered designers. e complex, a mix of converted farm buildings with others of an becomes agro-industrial aesthetic, houses not just the workshops but also a showroom, and little disturbed its smooth running - apart from an encampment of tents in what was reality virtually Conran’s back garden. A pair of striped blue underpants During their week appeared on a stone gatepost to dry out after a photographer had at Benchmark, the strayed too far into a stream to photograph the test launch of the students worked floating chair, but otherwise it was business as usual – until one hard, learnt lots and walked into the shed. had fun Among the craftsmen calmly making high-quality furniture were the more excitable, but closely focused students, concentrating on the best ways to make their or a week in July, designs work and being guided the Benchmark where necessary through the tasks plant at Kintbury, involved. In addition to two of his Berkshire was turned own team, Pete Everest and Mark upside down, as 14 Hinton, Sean Sutcliffe had brought students descended, in specialist wood turner Mike along withF their tutors and Bradley and boat builder Will Reed. mentors. Space was found for 13 Independent furniture maker/ of them in the main woodworking designers Sebastian Cox and Liam shop, with the 14th working Treanor also helped, as did RCA outside, chainsawing a log, while tutor Harry Richardson. surrounded by trees. Some of their Richardson said: ‘e week at fellow students also came to help. Benchmark gave the students In an incredible feat of an immersive experience that organisation, manufacture continued saw them exploring their ideas at this company, founded nearly 30 within the context of a busy

OUT OF THE WOODS MAKING/OUT OF THE WOODS

OUT OF THE WOODS his clothes. his opportunitiesfor line-drying because London offered so few there were no laundry facilities setting –one even regretting that a shower. ey all appreciated the the opportunity to swim in lieu of paella cooked out of doors -and the Benchmark staff –including lunchtime catering enjoyed by starts, but also the excellent infuriatingbutultimately lovely.’ with 12 different girls –fascinating, ‘like going to aparty and dancing of working with the students as he said. He described the process knowledge of how to make stuff,’ I work with have agood sound invaluable. ‘ ebest designers felt the workshop experience was another student project.’ He also said. ‘It takes it way beyond just proper relevance and gravitas,’ he is the LCA that gives the project vital for the life cycle analyses. ‘It material they had used. is was on each machine and how much how much time they had spent sheets they had been given saying day, every student should fill in the that, at the end of each arduous resolution.’ of that have all achieved ahigh degree fantasticallydiverse range ideas of speak for themselves as we have a are very lucky! Ithink the results that the students relished. ey a once in alifetime opportunity making,represented scientific) work from all corners (design, of the team that supported this collectiveexperienceand skills charged week of work. e made for awonderful and highly commercialworkshop which e week involved some early Sean Sutcliffe was determined /MAKING

> OUT OF THE WOODS OUT OF THE WOODS his clothes. his opportunitiesfor line-drying because London offered so few there were no laundry facilities setting –one even regretting that a shower. ey all appreciated the the opportunity to swim in lieu of paella cooked out of doors -and the Benchmark staff –including lunchtime catering enjoyed by starts, but also the excellent infuriatingbutultimately lovely.’ with 12 different girls –fascinating, ‘like going to aparty and dancing of working with the students as he said. He described the process knowledge of how to make stuff,’ I work with have agood sound invaluable. ‘ ebest designers felt the workshop experience was another student project.’ He also said. ‘It takes it way beyond just proper relevance and gravitas,’ he is the LCA that gives the project vital for the life cycle analyses. ‘It material they had used. is was on each machine and how much how much time they had spent sheets they had been given saying day, every student should fill in the that, at the end of each arduous resolution.’ of that have all achieved ahigh degree fantasticallydiverse range ideas of speak for themselves as we have a are very lucky! Ithink the results that the students relished. ey a once in alifetime opportunity making,represented scientific) work from all corners (design, of the team that supported this collectiveexperienceand skills charged week of work. e made for awonderful and highly commercialworkshop which e week involved some early Sean Sutcliffe was determined

> “ mostaccurate to learn which is the make one thing. Ineed many diﬀerent ways to diﬀerent. ere are so and drawing is very Just having an idea havingJust an Santi Guerrero Santi Font ” “ an amazinglocation an workshop amazing in have here –it’s an workshop bythe they Iwas blown away > Sam Weller Sam MAKING / OUT OF THE WOODS ” Pecan Hard Cherry maple Sharg Hickory tber Gum knowledge Ash Out of the Woods is AHEC's latest initiative to promote understanding

he American engage with timber in general Hardwood Export and American hardwoods in Council is the leading particular. It can help the designers organisation promoting of tomorrow to develop an the sales of American understanding of the beauty and hardwood and potential of the diﬀerent timbers hardwood T products around the world. which they can take with them It represents producers of timber and throughout their careers. ‘We are associated products such as veneers, particularly delighted to be working Soft plywood and mouldings. And while with the Royal College of Art,’ said its primary purpose is to promote the David Venables, European director maple wider use of American hardwoods, it of AHEC, ‘as the students there are Alder is aware that one important way to do the best of the best, and many will this is through encouraging a greater go on to have glittering careers.’ use of timber in general. Combining a design project with AHEC’s work in Europe has life cycle analysis ﬁts these students therefore centred on providing for the challenges of the future, as Red information on American well as highlighting the strengths hardwoods and their applications, of American hardwoods and of oak on increasing the level of the data that has been collected. technical information available Economy of materials may seem to through thorough testing of go against the grain of an exporting structural timbers, and on organisation but, said Venables, ‘we Tulipwood providing inspiration. is ranges are not trying to encourage people Walnut from case studies and lectures to use more timber in their designs. through commissions with Instead we are trying to encourage leading architects that have been them to use less – but to make sure White showcased in Milan and London. that more people are using it.’ oak is latest initiative represents yet Each species has its own another strand of the organisation’s particular characteristics, which are work – encouraging students to summarised opposite.

OUT OF THE WOODS/AMERICAN HARDWOODS OUT OF THE WOODS Pecan Hard Cherry This member of the hickory family is found in the Mississippi Valley region (further south than The heartwood of this maple the timbers labelled hickory). It is however beautiful timber varies from commonly sold with hickory because the rich red to reddish brown, qualities are so similar. This strong and hard Hickory wearing wood with and darkens on exposure to light. It is easy to machine creamy-white sapwood and fix and, when sanded In fact this is a family of timbers and darker heartwood has and polished, produces an which includes pecan (see above) high resistance to abrasion excellent smooth finish. It is and they are commonly sold and wear and good steam of medium density with good together. Hickory is increasingly bending properties. bending properties. used for flooring, thanks to its hardwearing properties. The timber has a coarse texture. Gum

This attractive species Ash has a white to light pink sapwood and This timber has one of a reddish-brown the best strength- heartwood. The to-weight ratios. It moderately hard, has excellent shock stiff and heavy wood resistance, and is ideal is used for cabinet for steam bending. In making, furniture appearance it is light parts, doors and he American engage with timber in general coloured (particularly internal joinery. the sapwood) with a Availability is limited. Hardwood Export and American hardwoods in coarse, uniform texture Council is the leading particular. It can help the designers and a straight grain. organisation promoting of tomorrow to develop an the sales of American understanding of the beauty and hardwood and potential of the different timbers hardwood T products around the world. which they can take with them It represents producers of timber and throughout their careers. ‘We are associated products such as veneers, particularly delighted to be working Soft plywood and mouldings. And while with the Royal College of Art,’ said its primary purpose is to promote the David Venables, European director maple wider use of American hardwoods, it of AHEC, ‘as the students there are Alder Very similar in appearance to hard maple, soft maple is aware that one important way to do the best of the best, and many will A relatively soft hardwood is more susceptible to regional colour variations. this is through encouraging a greater go on to have glittering careers.’ of medium density, red alder is excellent for turning The straight-grained use of timber in general. Combining a design project with and polishing, and is easily timber is about 25% less fixed. The light-brown hard than hard maple, AHEC’s work in Europe has life cycle analysis fits these students wood has a relatively has medium bending and crushing strength, and is therefore centred on providing for the challenges of the future, as straight grain. It can be painted or stained, and has Red low in stiffness and shock information on American well as highlighting the strengths good dimensional stability resistance. It has good after drying. stream bending properties. hardwoods and their applications, of American hardwoods and of oak It can be stained to resemble other species. on increasing the level of the data that has been collected. The most abundant technical information available Economy of materials may seem to species in America’s hardwood forests, red through thorough testing of go against the grain of an exporting oak is hard and heavy, with medium bending structural timbers, and on organisation but, said Venables, ‘we strength and stiffness Tulipwood providing inspiration. is ranges are not trying to encourage people and high crushing Walnut strength. It is very good One of the best value and most versatile U.S. from case studies and lectures to use more timber in their designs. for steam bending. It is hardwood species, tulipwood is widely used attractive with distinct through commissions with Instead we are trying to encourage The light brown to dark in construction, furniture and interior joinery. chocolate brown heartwood, reddish-pink tones, Although relatively light in weight and soft, leading architects that have been them to use less – but to make sure sometimes with a wavy or White making it popular for it has excellent mechanical properties and a curly grain, makes walnut a furniture and building very high strength to weight ratio, making it showcased in Milan and London. that more people are using it.’ fashionable timber for furniture, applications. ideal for laminated beams and structures. architectural interiors and high oak is latest initiative represents yet Each species has its own class joinery. It has moderate another strand of the organisation’s particular characteristics, which are bending and crushing strengths Wide availability makes white oak a and low stiffness. popular choice for furniture, flooring work – encouraging students to summarised opposite. and joinery. It has good colour consistency and is hard and heavy, with medium bending and crushing strength. It is low in stiffness, but very good for steam bending.

OUT OF THE WOODS AMERICAN HARDWOODS/OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] BEEEENCH 2 2 FLOATING CHAIR 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 80 80

0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 0.125 70 0.125

0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800

40 0.075 40 0.075 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600

0.025 7 23 0.025 0.01 0.01 14 9 the fact that a larger volume is aﬀected by weight, so the 20 in boat building are reﬂected they were trying to achieve. 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 of wood was used which has desire for lightness was not 0.05 in the relatively high impacts Lifespan is estimated at 15-25 23 0.05 30 30

an impact. It is surprising, necessarily going to reduce 0.02 3000 of processing and ﬁnishing. It years but one can imagine 0.02 3000

0.15 600 0.15 600 at ﬁrst, that this bench is so the environmental footprint. 40 0.075 does not mean however that this lasting longer with loving 40 0.075

4000 35 4000 wasteful with its ﬂat pieces Estimated lifespan is only 10- 0.2 50 800 this was a ‘bad’ solution, just repairs and patching up. 0.2 50 800 of wood. But all have to 20 years because of concerns 0.03 34 0.1 0.03 0.1 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE be cut and prepared. More about rotational stability. 70 70 0.04 6000 0.04 6000

than half of the processing 0.3 1200 0.3 1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING POSITIVE NEGATIVE NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: 710.288 MJ 0.380 KG 0.036 KG 15.431 KG 0.087 KG 1915.943 MJ 243.983 MJ and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.423 KG 0.045 KG 46.386 KG 0.187 KG 3066.582 MJ SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE 2 2 2 2 NET IMPACT: FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact.

ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM DESIGNED LEGACY POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES FOLDING CHAIR POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

an expressed desire to ‘win’ 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 60 - 80 years, this chair 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 at the life cycle analysis. 70 0.125 achieves an impressive 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 While this was deﬁnitely not 60 5000 1000 balance in life cycle terms. e 60 5000 1000 a competition, it is therefore 0.03 0.1 overall energy consumption, 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 worth noticing that the design in terms of tool use, was fairly 40 0.075 40 0.075 did not have the lowest impact 0.15 0.02 3000 600 low, and although the chair 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 in every category. It clearly 0.05 took a full week to complete, 0.05 0.1 shows that it is not the ﬁnal 0.1 2000 400 this was in terms of precision 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 weight; it is the overall amount 0.05 1000 200 rather than a lot of working. 0.05 1000 200 10 10 and selection of materials e decision to use square needed for making the chair 0 0 0 0 0 0 sections of timber, though 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 5 8 = 1 + 5 4 = 1 + 3 6 34 12 = 0 + 1 4 = 1 + 2 3 = 1 + 2 6 16 = 1 + 5 10 = 1 + 8 7 2 = 1 + 4 13 = 0 + 1 = 1 + 3 = 1 + 4 13 = 3 1 2 4 1 3 2 4 8 1 8 7 4 14 4 10 2 14 10 10 that drives the LCA. Having a 0.05 1000 primarily aesthetic, reduced 0.05 5 16 1000 0.025 200 0.025 200

design that is ﬁt for purpose 0.01 5 the time for labour as well as 0.01 20 1 20 0.1 2000 0.1 2000 is also crucial. Lifespan is 400 energy use and waste at the 400 21 50

0.05 0.05 estimated at only one to two 30 workshop and subsequently 30 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 years. 40 0.075 the environmental footprint. 40 0.075

4000 4000 0.2 50 800 0.2 50 800 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE POSITIVE NEGATIVE 70 70 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.088 KG 0.008 KG 1.291 KG 0.023 KG 433.599 MJ 30.945 MJ and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.147 KG 0.015 KG 0.891 KG 0.039 KG 775.56 MJ 2.747 MJ

is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO2-Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2-Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO2-Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2-Equiv. Ethene-Equiv.

e full i-reports prepared by PE International are available at: www.americanhardwood.org/out-of-the-woods/ e full i-reports prepared by PE International are available at: www.americanhardwood.org/out-of-the-woods/

OUT OF THE WOODS/ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] BEEEENCH 2 2 FLOATING CHAIR 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 80 80

0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 0.125 70 0.125

0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800

40 0.075 40 0.075 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600

30 30 0.05 0.05 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 0.01 20 It is no surprise that this design that its purpose was different. 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 0.05 1000 200 0.05 1000 200 ere is a large credit energy was on the sander. 10 had the highest environmental e designers paid as much 10 assigned to waste for this Materials and process have impacts. It used a lot of attention to impacts as their 0 0 0 0 bench. Although this seems a greater influence on life 0 0 0 0 material and required a great colleagues but that has to 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 10 13 = 2 + 17 7 = 1 + 9 14 = 0 + 5 4 = 1 + 2 10 3 = 1 + 7 14 = 2 + 15 62 = 5 + 68 = 3 + 14 = 0 + 9 = 1 + 3 16 = 2 + 12 = 2 7 9 5 9 10 14 10 an advantage, it is offset by cycle than transport which 0.05 12 1000 200 deal of work. e skills needed be set in the context of what 0.05 1000 200 0.025 7 23 0.025 0.01 0.01 14 9 the fact that a larger volume is affected by weight, so the 20 in boat building are reflected they were trying to achieve. 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 of wood was used which has desire for lightness was not 0.05 in the relatively high impacts Lifespan is estimated at 15-25 23 0.05 30 30 an impact. It is surprising, necessarily going to reduce of processing and finishing. It years but one can imagine 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 at first, that this bench is so the environmental footprint. 40 0.075 does not mean however that this lasting longer with loving 40 0.075 4000 35 4000 wasteful with its flat pieces Estimated lifespan is only 10- 0.2 50 800 this was a ‘bad’ solution, just repairs and patching up. 0.2 50 800

0.03 34 0.1 0.03 0.1 of wood. But all have to 20 years because of concerns 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE be cut and prepared. More about rotational stability. 70 70 0.04 6000 0.04 6000 than half of the processing 0.3 1200 0.3 1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING POSITIVE NEGATIVE NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: 710.288 MJ 0.380 KG 0.036 KG 15.431 KG 0.087 KG 1915.943 MJ 243.983 MJ and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.423 KG 0.045 KG 46.386 KG 0.187 KG 3066.582 MJ SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE 2 2 2 2 NET IMPACT: FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact.

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 0.4 8000 1600 0.4 8000 1600 e impacts of this stool are 0.175 With a relatively low 0.175 0.05 0.05 pretty low, as one would 90 environmental footprint and 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 expect from a designer with 0.15 an estimated life span of 0.15 80 80 an expressed desire to ‘win’ 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 60 - 80 years, this chair 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 at the life cycle analysis. 70 0.125 achieves an impressive 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 While this was deﬁnitely not 60 5000 1000 balance in life cycle terms. e 60 5000 1000 a competition, it is therefore 0.03 0.1 overall energy consumption, 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 worth noticing that the design in terms of tool use, was fairly 40 0.075 40 0.075 did not have the lowest impact 0.15 0.02 3000 600 low, and although the chair 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 in every category. It clearly 0.05 took a full week to complete, 0.05 0.1 shows that it is not the ﬁnal 0.1 2000 400 this was in terms of precision 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 weight; it is the overall amount 0.05 1000 200 rather than a lot of working. 0.05 1000 200 10 10 and selection of materials e decision to use square needed for making the chair 0 0 0 0 0 0 sections of timber, though 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 5 8 = 1 + 5 4 = 1 + 3 6 34 12 = 0 + 1 4 = 1 + 2 3 = 1 + 2 6 16 = 1 + 5 10 = 1 + 8 7 2 = 1 + 4 13 = 0 + 1 = 1 + 3 = 1 + 4 13 = 2 1 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 8 10 7 4 4 10 2 14 10 16 10 that drives the LCA. Having a 0.05 1000 primarily aesthetic, reduced 0.05 5 16 1000 0.025 200 0.025 200

design that is ﬁt for purpose 0.01 5 the time for labour as well as 0.01 50 20 1 20 0.1 2000 0.1 2000 is also crucial. Lifespan is 400 energy use and waste at the 400 21 50

0.05 0.05 estimated at only one to two 30 workshop and subsequently 30 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 years. 40 0.075 the environmental footprint. 40 0.075

4000 4000 0.2 50 800 0.2 50 800 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

OUT OF THE WOODS ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS /OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] LEFTOVERS CHAIR 2 2 PHYLLIDA 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 e concept of this chair 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 allows the use of oﬀ-cuts 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 instead of 'new timber' which 80 80

has the potential to reduce 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 70 the environmental footprint 0.125 0.125 signiﬁcantly from the calculated 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

impact here. Nevertheless, 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 the overall impacts in the 40 0.075 40 0.075 production of this chair seem 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 high compared to some of the 0.05 0.05 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 other projects. e glue content 0.01 20 e travelling bench has one overall energy use – and the 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 0.05 1000 200 0.05 1000 200 is high (all those elements to 10 of the lower carbon footprints fact that the designers had 10 stick together) and there was and use of fossil resources, time to make more than one 0 0 also steam bending of the arch 0 0 0 0 0 which is related to the high bench. One might question 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 = 2 + 6 74 1 = 1 + 3 = 1 + 2 7 = 1 + 12 = 1 + 3 4 = 1 + 6 17 = 1 + 12 = 1 + 6 2 = 0 + 3 1 = 1 + 5 = 1 + 5 21 68 3 = 2 1 2 3 6 1 5 9 4 6 7 3 5 7 5 9

10 10 3 16 of the back. But of all the chairs, £1000 share of bio-based materials the environmental credentials £1000

£0.05 £200 £0.05 £200 4

£0.025 £0.025

£0.01 £0.01 this has the second-highest 20 18 used – even the bungee cord of the bungee cord that plays 20 £0.1 £2000 £400 £0.1 £2000 £400 estimated life at 80-100 years. £0.05 is made of natural rubber. such a vital role, but in fact its £0.05

30 30 14

It is interesting to compare contribution in environmental 14 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 40 £0.075 with Beeeench – here there terms was fairly minimal. 40 £0.075 £4000 £4000 £0.2 50 £800 was only one large piece However if a bungee cord in £0.2 50 £800 0.03 £0.1 of wood to plane and sand synthetic rubber had been 0.03 £0.1 £0.25 60 £5000 £1000 £0.25 60 £5000 £1000 and this is reﬂected in the used, this would look diﬀerent. 70 70 £0.3 0.04 £6000 £1200 £0.3 0.04 £6000 £1200

POSITIVE NEGATIVE NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: POSITIVE NEGATIVE NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: 0.153 KG 0.015 KG 17.288 KG 0.032 KG 818.622 MJ 263.129 MJ 0.190 KG 0.019 KG 0.905 KG 0.069 KG 1352.631 MJ 18.321 MJ SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE 2 2 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE 2 2 FINISHING FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact.

ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM NUM. 4 POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES SNELSON POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

terms, with it having one of 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 primary energy demand of 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 the lower footprints yet still 70 0.125 fossil resources related to that 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 being a sturdy chair, with an 60 5000 1000 string, because it is made of 60 5000 1000 estimated lifespan of 30-50 0.03 0.1 polyester, is about a tenth of 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 years. It is interesting to note that associated with the wood 40 0.075 40 0.075 that in a chair which seems 0.15 0.02 3000 600 – a not insignificant amount 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 to be nothing but wood, 0.05 and an indication that choice 0.05 0.1 the glues and wax which 0.1 2000 400 of ‘secondary’ materials in 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 were used actually account 0.05 1000 200 the design of timber furniture 0.05 1000 200 10 10 for around one-eighth of is important. However, the the total global warming 0 0 0 0 0 0 overall environmental footprint 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 10 52 = 1 + 4 7 47 2 = 1 + 2 13 6 = 0 + 2 = 1 + 3 21 2 = 1 + 2 12 9 = 1 + 3 13 = 1 + 2 12 = 1 + 4 8 = 0 + 1 10 = 1 + 5 = 1 + 3 7 = 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 5 5 2 3 5 8 5 4 5 4 potential – an indication that 4 8 10 is one of the lower ones owing 10 £0.05 £1000 21 £0.05 £1000 £0.025 £200 £0.025 £200 13 21 conscious material selection £0.01 10 to the efficient use of raw £0.01 20 20 £0.1 £2000 £400 £0.1 £2000 £400 has significant influence on £0.05 materials, as well as the low £0.05 environmental performance. 30 final weight. Although there is 30 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 40 £0.075 a temporary feel to the stool, 40 £0.075

£4000 £4000 £0.2 50 £800 the lifespan was estimated to £0.2 50 £800 0.03 £0.1 be around 10 to 20 years. 0.03 £0.1 £0.25 60 £5000 £1000 £0.25 60 £5000 £1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE 70 POSITIVE NEGATIVE 70 £0.3 0.04 £6000 £1200 £0.3 0.04 £6000 £1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.075 KG 0.007 KG 4.033 KG 0.019 KG 405.016 MJ 62.513 MJ Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life 0.017 KG 0.002 KG 0.696 KG 0.005 KG 93.726 MJ 8.409 MJ

is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO2-Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2-Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. SO2-Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO2-Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact.

OUT OF THE WOODS/ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] LEFTOVERS CHAIR 2 2 PHYLLIDA 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 e concept of this chair 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 allows the use of oﬀ-cuts 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 instead of 'new timber' which 80 80 has the potential to reduce 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 70 the environmental footprint 0.125 0.125 signiﬁcantly from the calculated 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1 impact here. Nevertheless, 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 the overall impacts in the 40 0.075 40 0.075 production of this chair seem 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 high compared to some of the 0.05 0.05 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 other projects. e glue content 0.01 20 e travelling bench has one overall energy use – and the 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 0.05 1000 200 0.05 1000 200 is high (all those elements to 10 of the lower carbon footprints fact that the designers had 10 stick together) and there was and use of fossil resources, time to make more than one 0 0 also steam bending of the arch 0 0 0 0 0 which is related to the high bench. One might question 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 = 2 + 6 74 1 = 1 + 3 = 1 + 2 7 = 1 + 12 = 1 + 3 4 = 1 + 6 17 = 1 + 12 = 1 + 6 2 = 0 + 3 1 = 1 + 5 = 1 + 5 21 68 3 = 1 2 5 1 5 7 4 6 7 3 5 7 5 9 16

10 10 3 16 of the back. But of all the chairs, £1000 share of bio-based materials the environmental credentials £1000 £0.05 £200 £0.05 £200

£0.025 4 £0.025

30 30 14

ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM NUM. 4 POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES SNELSON POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 Santi Guerrero Font’s 100 100 0.4 8000 1600 0.4 8000 1600 determination to cut down 0.175 is is a stool that is held 0.175 0.05 0.05 the material content of his 90 together by tensioned string. 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 chair paid off in environmental 0.15 It is interesting to note that the 0.15 80 80 terms, with it having one of 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 primary energy demand of 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 the lower footprints yet still 70 0.125 fossil resources related to that 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 being a sturdy chair, with an 60 5000 1000 string, because it is made of 60 5000 1000 estimated lifespan of 30-50 0.03 0.1 polyester, is about a tenth of 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 years. It is interesting to note that associated with the wood 40 0.075 40 0.075 that in a chair which seems 0.15 0.02 3000 600 – a not insignificant amount 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 to be nothing but wood, 0.05 and an indication that choice 0.05 0.1 the glues and wax which 0.1 2000 400 of ‘secondary’ materials in 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 were used actually account 0.05 1000 200 the design of timber furniture 0.05 1000 200 10 10 for around one-eighth of is important. However, the the total global warming 0 0 0 0 0 0 overall environmental footprint 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 3 10 52 = 1 + 4 7 47 2 = 1 + 2 13 6 = 0 + 2 = 1 + 3 21 2 = 1 + 2 12 9 = 1 + 3 13 = 1 + 2 12 = 1 + 4 8 = 0 + 1 10 = 1 + 5 = 1 + 3 7 = 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 4 4 5 2 3 5 5 4 5 4 4 8 10 10 potential – an indication that £0.05 £1000 is one of the lower ones owing £0.05 £1000 £0.025 £200 £0.025 £200 13 21 conscious material selection £0.01 10 to the efficient use of raw £0.01 20 20 £0.1 £2000 £400 £0.1 £2000 £400 has significant influence on £0.05 materials, as well as the low £0.05 environmental performance. 30 final weight. Although there is 30 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 £0.15 0.02 £3000 £600 40 £0.075 a temporary feel to the stool, 40 £0.075

OUT OF THE WOODS ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS /OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] SOLITUDE 2 2 TREE FURNITURE 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 Relatively simple to 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 manufacture, and with few 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 components other than the 80 80

timber, this chair has almost 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 70 all its impacts in terms of the 0.125 0.125 materials. ere is little else 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

– just a few ﬁxings, and some 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 oil. And because it uses so 40 0.075 40 0.075 much timber, it is one of the 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 higher-scoring chairs in most 0.05 0.05 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 of the environmental impacts 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 0.05 1000 200 0.05 1000 200 considered. Set against this 10 10 is the fact that this chair’s e concept of this piece contribution, with both 0 0 estimated design life is the 0 0 0 0 0 of furniture is to use the the waste generated in 0 0 0 0 0 = = = 0 0 0 0 0 0 = = = 2 + 6 12 148 3 = 3 + 10 9 134 4 = 2 + 6 17 87 4 = 0 + 2 122 = 1 + 4 65 2 = 2 + 5 16 74 3 = 0 + 6 89 = 0 + 4 173 = 0 + 8 62 = 0 + 1 23 = 0 + 2 370 = 0 + 7 52 = 2 4 3 2 7 12

10 10 7 10 18 4

longest of all, at over 100 years. 13 12 1000 material where it is originally manufacture and the bench at 1000 0.05 0.025 200 0.05 0.025 200 35

0.01 42 0.01 20 available – in the forest. At its end of life being used as fuel. 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 0.05 end of life, the bench decays e lifespan of Tree Furniture 0.05 50 35

30 47 42 30 in the same way as trees in a is estimated as 30 years – this 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 40 0.075 forest. erefore no impact or is one piece of furniture that 40 0.075 4000 4000 0.2 50 800 credit is assigned to it unlike will still be serviceable when 0.2 50 800 0.03 0.1 other waste which is seen no longer pristine. 0.03 0.1 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE as making an environmental 70 70 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING POSITIVE NEGATIVE Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. 0.186 KG 0.020 KG 6.956 KG 0.058 KG 1201.545 MJ 59.435 MJ 0.118 KG 0.026 KG 19.017 KG 0.012 KG 8361.817 MJ 265.834 MJ SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. 2 2 FINISHING 2 2 Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact.

ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM SQUEEZE POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES WELL PROVEN POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

and the fact that it uses very 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 hardwood chips and sawdust. 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 little apart from timber and a 70 0.125 As no adequate information 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 certain amount of plywood. 60 5000 1000 could be compiled on the 60 5000 1000 e chair was very complex 0.03 0.1 bio-resin in time, the team 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 to make but processes were at PE International made an 40 0.075 40 0.075 low impact showing that 0.15 0.02 3000 600 assumption that it is made from 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 complexity of making a chair 0.05 a crude-oil-based chemical., 0.05 0.1 does not necessarily result in 0.1 2000 400 the contribution from this 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 a high environmental footprint. 0.05 1000 200 being between 25% (GWP) 0.05 1000 200 10 10 However there is a question and about 60% (EP). To reach mark over its durability as 0 0 0 0 0 0 a ﬁnal conclusion, this would 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 2 10 31 = 1 + 3 8 28 = 1 + 2 14 17 3 = 0 + 2 21 1 = 1 + 3 12 = 1 + 13 15 4 = 1 + 4 68 = 1 + 2 3 93 = 1 + 2 5 69 = 0 + 1 21 = 1 + 21 = 1 + 5 90 = 1 2 2 0 1 3 3 0 3 2 2 3 5 7 0 2 5 8 0 12 0 16 users will impose quite high 10 18 have to be investigated further. 10 8 16 0.05 7 18 1000 0.05 1000 0.025 200 0.025 200 34 0 stresses on thin material. As 0.01 e other uncertainty is the 0.01 20 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 a result, its lifespan has been 0.05 lifespan – estimated at 10-15 0.05 estimated at only 5 - 10 years. 30 years but hard to tell with such a 30 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 40 0.075 new material. e designers are 40 0.075

4000 4000 0.2 50 800 aware of this and would like to 0.2 50 800 0.03 0.1 carry out further testing. 0.03 0.1 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 POSITIVE NEGATIVE POSITIVE NEGATIVE 70 70 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING ASSEMBLY/ MATERIAL PROCESSING TRANSPORT USE PHASE WASTE END OF LIFE FINISHING Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: NET IMPACT: and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. 0.049 KG 0.005 KG 2.797 KG 0.010 KG 242.462 MJ 45.404 MJ Waste and end of life are assigned as credits (negative values of impact) as we assume the chair at end of life 0.078 KG 0.014 KG 21.917 KG 0.009 KG 354.378 MJ 284.852 MJ is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. and the waste generated in production will both be incinerated and used as a bio-fuel for generation of heat. SO -Equiv. Phosphate-Equiv. CO -Equiv. Ethene-Equiv. 2 2 is substitutes energy created from fossil fuels which of course has a great environmental impact. 2 2

OUT OF THE WOODS/ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OUT OF THE WOODS ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO -Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO -Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] SOLITUDE 2 2 TREE FURNITURE 2 2 (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800

100 100 8000 1600 8000 1600 Relatively simple to 0.4 0.175 0.4 0.175 0.05 0.05 manufacture, and with few 90 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 0.15 0.15 components other than the 80 80 timber, this chair has almost 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 70 70 all its impacts in terms of the 0.125 0.125 materials. ere is little else 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.25 60 5000 1000 0.03 0.1 0.03 0.1

– just a few ﬁxings, and some 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 oil. And because it uses so 40 0.075 40 0.075 much timber, it is one of the 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 higher-scoring chairs in most 0.05 0.05 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 of the environmental impacts 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 0.05 1000 200 0.05 1000 200 considered. Set against this 10 10 is the fact that this chair’s e concept of this piece contribution, with both 0 0 estimated design life is the 0 0 0 0 0 of furniture is to use the the waste generated in 0 0 0 0 0 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 2 + 6 12 148 3 = 3 + 10 9 134 4 = 2 + 6 17 87 4 = 0 + 2 122 = 1 + 4 65 2 = 2 + 5 16 74 3 = 0 + 6 89 = 0 + 4 173 = 0 + 8 62 = 0 + 1 23 = 0 + 2 370 = 0 + 7 52 = 3 2

10 10 7 10 18 4 longest of all, at over 100 years. 13 12 1000 material where it is originally manufacture and the bench at 1000 0.05 0.025 200 0.05 0.025 200 0.01 0.01 20 available – in the forest. At its end of life being used as fuel. 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 0.05 end of life, the bench decays e lifespan of Tree Furniture 0.05 50 35

ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM ACIDIFICATION EUTROPHICATION GLOBAL WARMING PHOTOCHEMICAL OZONE PRIMARY ENERGY FROM PRIMARY ENERGY FROM SQUEEZE POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES WELL PROVEN POTENTIAL POTENTIAL POTENTIAL CREATION POTENTIAL RENEWABLE AND NON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] RENEWABLE SOURCES (net cal. Value) [MJ] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] [kg SO2-Equiv.] kg Phosphate-Equiv.] kg CO2-Equiv.] [kg Ethene - Equiv.] (net cal. Value) [MJ] (net cal. Value) [MJ]

0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 0.45 0.06 110 0.2 9000 1800 is chair is unique compared 100 100 0.4 8000 1600 0.4 8000 1600 is chair has a relatively low 0.175 to all the others, as it uses a 0.175 0.05 0.05 environmental footprint which 90 resin based on bio-materials 90 0.35 7000 1400 0.35 7000 1400 is related to its low weight 0.15 combined with American 0.15 80 80 and the fact that it uses very 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 hardwood chips and sawdust. 0.3 0.04 6000 1200 little apart from timber and a 70 0.125 As no adequate information 70 0.125 0.25 0.25 certain amount of plywood. 60 5000 1000 could be compiled on the 60 5000 1000 e chair was very complex 0.03 0.1 bio-resin in time, the team 0.03 0.1 0.2 50 4000 800 0.2 50 4000 800 to make but processes were at PE International made an 40 0.075 40 0.075 low impact showing that 0.15 0.02 3000 600 assumption that it is made from 0.15 0.02 3000 600 30 30 complexity of making a chair 0.05 a crude-oil-based chemical., 0.05 0.1 does not necessarily result in 0.1 2000 400 the contribution from this 2000 400 0.01 20 0.01 20 0.025 0.025 a high environmental footprint. 0.05 1000 200 being between 25% (GWP) 0.05 1000 200 10 10 However there is a question and about 60% (EP). To reach mark over its durability as 0 0 0 0 0 0 a ﬁnal conclusion, this would 0 0 0 0 0 0 ======1 + 2 10 31 = 1 + 3 8 28 = 1 + 2 14 17 3 = 0 + 2 21 1 = 1 + 3 12 = 1 + 13 15 4 = 1 + 4 68 = 1 + 2 3 93 = 1 + 2 5 69 = 0 + 1 21 = 1 + 21 = 1 + 5 90 = 2 0 1 3 0 3 2 2 3 2 5 7 0 8 0 users will impose quite high 10 have to be investigated further. 12 0 10 8 16 0.05 7 18 1000 0.05 1000 0.025 200 0.025 200 34 0 stresses on thin material. As 0.01 e other uncertainty is the 0.01 20 20 0.1 2000 400 0.1 2000 400 a result, its lifespan has been 0.05 lifespan – estimated at 10-15 0.05 estimated at only 5 - 10 years. 30 years but hard to tell with such a 30 0.15 0.02 3000 600 0.15 0.02 3000 600 40 0.075 new material. e designers are 40 0.075

OUT OF THE WOODS ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS /OUT OF THE WOODS PARTNERS www.benchmarkfurniture.com

www.americanhardwood.org www.designproductsrca.com www.pe-international.com

PARTICIPANTS

MIKE BRADLEY SEBASTIAN COX PETE EVEREST Independent Craftsman Independent Furniture Maker Benchmark Furniture www.mikebradleycraftsmanwoodturner.co.uk www.sebastiancox.co.uk www.benchmarkfurniture.com

WILL REED HARRY RICHARDSON SEAN SUTCLIFFE LIAM TREANOR Boat Building Academy RCA Tutor Benchmark Furniture Independent Furniture Maker www.boatbuildingacademy.com www.designproductsrca.com www.benchmarkfurniture.com www.liamtreanor.co.uk

MARC BINDER DAVID VENABLES SEBASTIAN WRONG PE International American Hardwood Export Council RCA Tutor www.pe-international.com www.americanhardwood.org www.designproductsrca.com

Sitting Firm for assistance with Leftovers chair - www.sittingﬁrm.co.uk Tyler Hardwoods Limited for timber donations - www.tylerhardwoods.com THANKS TO Imola Legno for timber donations - www.imolalegno.com Morgan Timber for timber donations - www.morgantimber.co.uk

OUT OF THE WOODS/PARTICIPANTS PARTNERS www.benchmarkfurniture.com

www.americanhardwood.org www.designproductsrca.com www.pe-international.com

PARTICIPANTS

MIKE BRADLEY SEBASTIAN COX PETE EVEREST www.mikebradleycraftsmanwoodturner.co.uk www.sebastiancox.co.uk www.benchmarkfurniture.com

WILL REED HARRY RICHARDSON SEAN SUTCLIFFE LIAM TREANOR www.boatbuildingacademy.com www.designproductsrca.com www.benchmarkfurniture.com www.liamtreanor.co.uk

MARC BINDER DAVID VENABLES SEBASTIAN WRONG www.pe-international.com www.americanhardwood.org www.designproductsrca.com

THANKS TO

OUT OF THE WOODS his publication documents a unique collaboration between the American The creation of Hardwood Export Council, the Royal College of Art, Benchmark Furniture 12 hardwood chairs and PE International in which 12 sets Tof students designed chairs, manufactured them, considered their life cycle analyses and exhibited the ﬁnished work at the Victoria & Albert Museum as part of the London Design Festival 2012. e project is not only an extraordinary ﬂowering of creativity, but also addresses some of the environmental issues that will face the designers and makers of the future.

WOOD LIFE CYCLE MA KING